In a related development, Amaechi has asked the administrative panel of inquiry set up to investigate the management of the NPA to examine and investigate issues leading to the termination of pilotage contract handled by the Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (Intels) and other contracts of NPA to confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and presidential directives.
The NPA management had in September 2020 terminated a boat operation contract being handled by Intels Nigeria Limited, INL, a company former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had shares before he divested his shares earlier in the year.
In a marine information notice dated September 1, the Lagos Pilotage District (LPD) of the NPA said the service, hitherto handled by Intels, has been terminated.
The notice was signed by Daniel Hosea, Harbour Master of the LPD.
According to the notice, the LPD directed all service boat owners and operators to do transactions directly in each of the Port Complex of the NPA.
“Every Service Boat movement must be reported and booked at the office of the Harbour Master of the District, where Pilotage Chits and Master Declaration Forms will be issued and returned after every movement,” the notice said.
“Every enquiry on Service Boat movement should be directed to the office of the Port Manager of the Ports/Harbour Master, Pilotage District.”
However, while inaugurating the administrative panel that was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the activities of the suspended MD of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman yesterday, the transport minister said the term of reference included the examination and investigation of issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of NPA.
The panel is also to examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the managing director of NPA and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.
