By Anthony Nwachukwu
Following the company’s contributions to the growth of the national economy and willingness to abide by the rules, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has expressed the Federal Government’s intention to lift the suspension order on Nigerdock.
Sambo disclosed this in Lagos recently when he visited the firm in the company of the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, and some management staff of the ministry.
He told the Nigerdock Chief Executive Officer, Maher Jarmakani, and the other officials that the company was suspended due to complaints from other terminal operators, as Nigerdock had operating advantages over them.
“What led to your suspension was that I received complaints from terminal operators saying that you are not on the same level with them in the sense that they pay more to the government than you do,” Sambo disclosed.
“You’re likely to attract freight at much lower cost to the detriment their of businesses.”
To that end, the minister urged them to liaise with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to work out all the operational licenses needed to enable them operate, while the NPA forwards same to the minister, whose prerogative it is to approve.
He assured: “We will never do anything to undermine the things you are doing here in terms of generating wealth and jobs for Nigerians. The only thing we are saying is that the law should be followed. We should not encourage lawlessness.”
On their part, Jarmakani said the firm has taken notable steps in this regard and has been granted bonded permits by the Nigeria Customs (Service) and was currently working with NPA to ensure that all processes of getting the needed approvals were followed accordingly.
“We are seeking your support, honourable minister, and that is why we wrote a letter of appeal for your guidance and your support to see that we have followed all processes and procedures” Jarmakani said.
He further informed the minister that Nigerdock employed more Nigerians than its peers in its 30 years of existence, assuring that the company will not undermine the country’s extant rules and regulations.
