The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), under the leadership of Hadiza Bala-Usman, has requested clearance from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to reinstate INTELS, after the latter agreed to comply with Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
According to Mrs Bala-Usman, INTELS has shown its readiness to execute the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), drawn by the NPA to bring the implementation of Service Boats Agreement, in line with extant regulation and Government’s directives.
She explained that the disagreement between the NPA and Intels had been resolved, adding that there is currently no dispute between both parties on the basis of service boat agreement.
“May I therefore seek your legal guidance on the above to enable me respond to the request of Messrs’ INTELS Nigeria Limited accordingly”.
Recall that the areas of contention were:
1. Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) revoked the resident permit of INTELS expatriates, asking them to leave Nigeria by November 30, 2017, or risk deportation
2. The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) withdrew the operational license of INTELS for alleged infractions including:
(a) Operating without a valid license
(b) Dodging asset audits
(c) Failure to settle certain statutory financial obligations with the agency
3. Non-compliance with the Treasury Single Account (TSA)
Only the Nigerian Ports Authority have come out to confirm that the issues with INTELS has been resolved.
Meanwhile, some have expressed the opinion that INTELS should not be reinstated until the NIS rescind its earlier position and OGFZA settles its issues with INTELS
NPA’s position is a major blow to the rumour that INTELS is being witch-hunted because of Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President who just decamped from the ruling party to join the opposition.
