The operators of Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) have thrown their weight behind both the NPA and the Federal Government in the face-off with foremost oil and gas logistics services provider; INTELS.
Reacting to the face-off with snowballed into the termination of the contract with INTELS, General Manager, Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) managers of Nigerdock; Mr Joe Boulos said last week that if the contract termination would engender a level playing field for all players in the industry, the Nigerdock was for it.
He said this while receiving the port manager of Tin Can Island port; Engineer Emmanuel Akporere last week at the sprawling Nigerdock facilities.
Dropping a hint that the contract with INTELS was unfair to others in the same industry, Boulous said:"We support the termination of any situation that takes away a level playing field and the ability to compete openly and transparently in the industry. If the situation between NPA and INTELS will create a level playing field for people to compete, I am in support of it.
‘’We are in the industry where opportunities are not giving fairly to those who are in the industry. But I know the government is trying their best to get it right and I think they are on the right track. To achieve a sustainable development, you must give room for a level playing field" ,he concluded.
The General Manager, however applauded the Nigerian maritime industry, saying that the industry has recorded some significant improvement in the last few years.
"The Nigeria maritime industry has really made some significant improvement in the last few years. The quay side, jetties, some physical improvement and support from the NPA have all been growing. And also the Nigerian role in their industry has ever been growing and we are one of the beneficiaries of these policies and we want to see these policies is to drive business back to Nigeria just to keep the country strong"
He also said that Nigerdok has increased its local content in other to support the maritime industry in Nigeria.
"We are ship yard and shipping building and ship repair facility, we are increasing our capacity so that no vessel will go outside and do what can be easily done here in Nigeria. So both SIIFZ and Nigerdock have done much work to increase local capacity in support of the maritime industry. Maritime industry is not all about the ship is about all the support industries and the services that are there, you can also benefit from the industry", he added.
"I believe that the current economic policies under this administration are driving businesses back to Nigeria and they are developing things in country. We just need more focus, effort and be more compliant, we are on the right track", he assured.
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