NIMASA ranks Onne Free Zone high in compliance to ISPS Code, Local content

Dakuku Peterside, director general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has lauded INTELS Nigeria Limited for its investment in the development of multibillion dollar oil and gas logistics Free Trade Zone in Onne Port, Rivers State.

Peterside also commended the developer for running the Free Zone, which he said fully, complies with the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and the Nigerian Local Content Development Law.

According to him, despite the challenging operating environment and policy inconsistencies on the part of government, the company had continued to invest in the development of a big oil and gas logistics Free Zone, showing that companies like INTELS still have faith in Nigeria.

“It takes faith to have investment of this magnitude. This is because you believe you can invest in Nigeria, grow with Nigeria, prosper with Nigeria, face challenges with Nigeria, and you have done that for 30 years and still counting. You deserve nothing but commendation,” Peterside told INTELS management during an official visit to the Onne Free Zone last Thursday.

The achievements recorded by INTELS in three decades, he added, show that there are lots of possibilities for Nigeria as where there is will and vision. He noted that the transformation that has taken place in Onne Port and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone over the years “is a source of encouragement for most of us who are playing one role or the other in government.”

“I am particularly happy that INTELS is complying with the ISPS Code. When we talk about oil and gas industry, safety is paramount to us. In all its dimensions, if you flourish in the industry at the risk of lives, it is not worth it.

“Ours is safety administration and is our number one priority.  Whether you are in core shipping or shipping related business, our emphasis is to make your workplace’s safety as your number one priority. If it will cost lives, it is not worth doing.  The ISPS code as you know is an international rule. It is not just a Nigerian rule.

“Before now, we were assessed by the United States Coast Guard as being 13 percent compliant to the Code.  But, because of the cooperation from INTELS and other terminal operators, the US Coast Guard rated us above 80 percent compliant at the last rating.”

Peterside, who noted that it is the responsibility of government to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive so as to create jobs for the citizens, also pointed that if government creates the right environment, Nigeria will have so many other INTELS that will create employment and limitless wealth for Nigerians.

The NIMASA boss, who expressed satisfaction with the reports on INTELS compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Act, also described the approach as a way of achieving sustainable business. “Making profit from our shareholders is not enough to make our firms sustainable. The thing that can make our firms sustainable is collaboration with our communities. Without that collaboration, you will not have the requisite social license to operate.

He however noted that anything that happens to INTELS would be extended to the Onne community. “If it is negative, the existence of the community will be threatened.  And when INTELS flourishes, the Onne Community will also flourish and by extension, Nigeria.”

Peterside further disclosed that the Buhari-led administration believes in the rule of law, consistency and the sanctity of the contractual agreements. “Therefore, whatever relationships or agreements that you have with us will be respected and that I can confirm to you. So, I have absolutely no doubt that if all grey areas are looked at, eventually we will all be on the same page and you will continue to do business.”

Speaking earlier on the company’s activities, Silvano Bellinato, general manager of INTELS Nigeria Limited, said the company has invested several billions of dollars in port development. He also said that the company is committed to working with relevant agencies of the Federal Government to derive the full benefits of oil and gas logistics services in the country.

“INTELS has been a trusted partner to major oil and gas producing companies in Nigeria and a monumental logistic partner to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in the development of ports infrastructure and delivery port related services in Nigeria.”

Continuing, he said: “In over 30 years, we have added substantial value to the Nigerian oil and gas service industry and the operators have found our services strategic to their operations. In the maritime sector, INTELS’ operation as a port infrastructure developer and service provider brought the needed life to Nigerian ports by giving it an improved capacity to serve the nation.

“INTELS’s efforts have boosted earnings and contributions of these sectors to the Nigerian economy and generated the much-needed employment for Nigerians. We introduced an innovative one-stop-shop oil service centre concept designed to meet the specialised needs of oil producing companies in one location to provide an integrated, efficient, reliable and cost effective logistics solution to operators in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

Bellinato said that the innovative concept has enhanced service delivery and turnaround time for oil and gas industry projects, thus, endeared INTELS to its partners.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie