By Kenneth Jukpor
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) inability to pay its contractors has seen Warri Pilotage District without the service of the major towage service provider for almost two months.
The development has left port activities at Delta Ports in jeopardy since Ziddon Engineering Services Limited withdrew its service in December 2021.
Findings showed that the private company withdrew its service from the Pilotage District following NPA’s failure to clear unpaid debts of over six months.
MMS Plus sighted a letter that the private operator had addressed to the Warri Port Manager and copied to the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, NPA and the Harbour Master, to notify the Authority of the decision to withdraw its service.
The letter titled: “Stoppage Of Towage Operations Warri Pilotage District – Delta Port” with Ref: ZES/EXT/OPS/12/2021/313, dated December 21, 2021.
It read: “It is with displeasure that we bring to your notice our management’s decision to shut down towage operations in the Warri Pilotage District of Delta Ports, Delta State from the 23rd of December 2021 pending when all our accrued payments are made to us.”
“This is in view of the fact that we have rendered Six Months (6 Months) non-stop, efficient and effective operations without a single payment, however, out of our first Five Months (5 Months) bills submitted, we have not been paid till date. To this effect, our management has directed that we cease further operations on the above mentioned date.”
“It is on the records that the said delayed payments have caused us serious operational losses. To this effect, we look forward to your immediate response, timely intervention and subsequence advise on our payments as time is of the essence to us.”
The letter was signed by the Operations Coordinator, Zidon Engineering Services Limited, Mr. Otega B. Fadiniyi.
Efforts to get a response from the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications at NPA, Mr. Nasiru Ibrahim were futile until presstime.
However, some industry observers have noted that the newly appointed Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko was limited with regards to fiscal approvals while serving in acting capacity in the last nine months.
