Brace up for competition, operator tells INTELS

A Transport and Business Development Consultant, Lanre Badmus, has advised management of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS), to brace up for challenge of competition amongst other concessionaires following the recent government policy which supports the right of Nigerian shippers to choose the terminal or port for the discharge their imports or exports.

Badmus also pleaded with INTELS not to head for the law court to challenge the new policy as the decision seem to show government's determination to support the wholesome liberalization of port services in the country, to grant port users greater flexibility on transport cost and pricing.

According to him, “Let us hope that this latest presidential directive would not become inconsequential as previous executive orders, and INTELS which obviously would see this decision as setback may not proceed to the court to seek to stop the execution of this order but rather brace up for competition.

“The President’s action perhaps is indicative of his administration’s desire to support the wholesome liberalization of port services in the country, to grant port users greater flexibility on transport cost and pricing.”

He noted that the presidential approval may have effectively laid to rest the long acrimonious battle between two feuding parties led separately by INTELS and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), over the designation of port terminals and classification of cargoes which followed the concession of the country’s seaports in 2006.

He pointed out that the argument by INTELS is premised on the provisions of the port concession programme of the government that all oil and gas related cargoes shipped into the country must be discharged at designated terminals in Onne, Warri and Calabar.

While on the other hand LADOL and other concessionaires is that shippers should be allowed to exercise their discretion on where their shipments should be discharged, in line with global best practice. The two warring parties have employed all manner of “weapons” including subterfuge to promote their positions.