By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Transportation has disclosed its intention to shut down the Chevron Warri Jetty within two weeks following overt disregard by Chevron Nigeria Limited to hinder stevedore services regardless of extant laws and standard procedures.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, who made this known at a meeting between Chevron Nigeria Limited, Bena-Franco, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the National Inland Waterways (NIWA) at the Ministry in Abuja said the ministry has the mandate to guide activities in the maritime sector.
Ajani informed representatives of Chevron that the Nigerian Ports Authority as the master stevedore has assigned a stevedore company in the last two years to the Warri jetty, adding Chevron had been denied access despite all efforts by NPA.
She also said Chevron also has avoided all meetings the Ministry and National Stevedore Association to resolve the matter. She advised that it will be in their best interest to grant Bena – Franco access to the jetty.
“You have the next two (2) week to register this stevedore that has been assigned to you by the Federal Government of Nigeria to oversee what goes on at that jetty” Ajani emphasised. READ ALSO:
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In addition, the inability of representatives of Chevron Nigeria Limited to substantiate on the status of operating license for the jetty, the Permanent Secretary mandated the taskforce on private jetties to avail her evidence of approval granted to the company immediately.
Furthermore, she noted that failure to comply within the next two weeks will leave the Ministry with no option than to shut operations at the Warri jetty.
