NPA To Investigate $1.5bn Loss From Oil And Gas Ports Sector Monopoly.

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has vowed to investigate Complains of Monopoly in the Oil and Gas Ports Sector.
The Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, gave the assurance during an inspection of Snake Island Integrated Free Trade Zone and Niger Dock in Lagos.
She maintained NPA under her watch would ensure a level playing ground and the enabling operating Environment for Oil and Gas Sector Port Players.
She added that NPA was synergising efforts with key players in the sub-sector such that would result into a healthy competition amongst establishments in the transportation and allied areas of the economy.
She said that the way forward in all grey areas concerning operations at the nation’s seaports was in the hosting of stakeholders consultative fora where burning issues in the sub sector would be addressed accordingly with the view to assuring greater efficiency amongst colleagues through cooperation.
The NPA MD stressed that Government would deploy relevant provisions of the law in the industry aimed towards the eradication of existing monopoly in the sub sector.
She  insisted that, ‘’ nobody has the right to create a monopoly that does not exist’’. However, there would be an ‘’effective monitoring to adherence and compliance to the rules and regulations in the Industry within the sector’’.
She commended the on-going multi-billion naira investments across the board amongst these firms and promised the provision of a credible enabling environment in which greater efficient businesses would strive well enough to bring about a boost and consequent growth in the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She reaffirmed the commitment of Management at making the nation the hub in Sub-Sahara Africa through operational efficiency, better ease at doing business, competitiveness at Port operations, working with operators and consulting with relevant Ministries with a view to resolving overlapping of responsibilities for effective synergy which would in turn improve revenue drive of the nation at this critical period of recession.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of Jagal Group, owners of Snake Island Integrated Free Zone and Niger Dock, Mr Anwar Jarmakani, Lamented that Nigeria currently loses about $1.5Billion yearly due to monopoly in the Logistics and Supply Services sector of the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria.
He regretted that existing monopoly in the Nigerian oil and gas logistics and supply service had existed for over 20 years, sabotaging the Nigerian economy, conspiring and working against potential competitors.
This monopoly has consistently and aggressively used different Government ministries, departments and agencies, which include NPA, Ministry of Transport, Customs, and others to harass, compromise and enrich its monopoly position with impunity, he lamented.
Investigations revealed, that the feuds between Jagal, Ladol,and Intels have divided the Presidency as the promoters of the companies have penetrated the top inner recess of power to solicit support.