The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to lift the suspension order on Nigerdock’s terminal operations following its willingness to abide by the rules and its contributions to the growth of the national economy.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, stated this recently when he visited the facility in Lagos in the company of the Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye and some staff of the ministry.
Addressing the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerdock, Maher Jarmakani and other officials of the company, the Minister said, “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. You’re likely to attract freight at much lower cost to the detriment their of businesses,”
He urged the company to liaise with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to work out all the operational licenses needed to enable it as a container terminal.
“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,” Sambo added.
Responding, the CEO of Nigerdock, Maher Jarmakani, said the firm has been granted approval by the Nigeria Customs Service to serve as a bonded terminal. He said his team was working with NPA to obtain other necessary permits and approvals.
“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 stated.
He said in the 30 years of its existence, Nigerdock has employed more Nigerians than its peers, assuring that the company will not undermine the country’s extant rules and regulations.