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| Col. Hammed Ali(Rtd.) inspecting works at the Snake Island vocation training centre |
Mr Anwar Jarmakani, the Group
Executive Chairman of Jagal, has appealed to the Federal Government to check
monopoly and economic sabotage in the Oil and Gas Logistics and Supply Service
sector in line with government’s vision for free and fair competition among
investors.
Executive Chairman of Jagal, has appealed to the Federal Government to check
monopoly and economic sabotage in the Oil and Gas Logistics and Supply Service
sector in line with government’s vision for free and fair competition among
investors.
Jarmakani made the
appeal while addressing Col. Hammeed Ali (Rtd.), the Comptroller General of the
Nigeria Customs Service during an inspection of the facility of Snake Island
Integrated Free Zone recently in Lagos.
appeal while addressing Col. Hammeed Ali (Rtd.), the Comptroller General of the
Nigeria Customs Service during an inspection of the facility of Snake Island
Integrated Free Zone recently in Lagos.
The Group Executive
Chairman alleged that the sector and its regulating government institutions had
been manipulated through “a non-existent law to justify the assertion and false
claim that all Oil and Gas cargo must be first discharged at their ports of
preference” in the past 20 years.
Chairman alleged that the sector and its regulating government institutions had
been manipulated through “a non-existent law to justify the assertion and false
claim that all Oil and Gas cargo must be first discharged at their ports of
preference” in the past 20 years.
He said that as a result
of this “ghost law”, the country has been held ransom as the absence of a free
enterprise market in the sector has made it the most expensive in the world.
of this “ghost law”, the country has been held ransom as the absence of a free
enterprise market in the sector has made it the most expensive in the world.
He disclosed that
Nigeria had been short-changed by the monopoly to the tune of $1.5billion
annually and warned that as a result of this faux pas, investors were beginning
to boycott the nation.
Nigeria had been short-changed by the monopoly to the tune of $1.5billion
annually and warned that as a result of this faux pas, investors were beginning
to boycott the nation.
“This monopoly
seriously damages the international reputation of Nigeria. They have driven
away investments.
seriously damages the international reputation of Nigeria. They have driven
away investments.
“The Oil and Gas
Supply and Logistics Service in Nigeria is the most expensive…the Monopoly adds
an extra cost of $3-$5 per barrel produced in Nigeria which translates to over
$1.5billion per annum,” Jarmakani stated.
Supply and Logistics Service in Nigeria is the most expensive…the Monopoly adds
an extra cost of $3-$5 per barrel produced in Nigeria which translates to over
$1.5billion per annum,” Jarmakani stated.
Jarmakani stated that the
said law was a scam and that if such a law really existed, the Federal
Government would not have encouraged other critical players to make huge
investments in the country.
said law was a scam and that if such a law really existed, the Federal
Government would not have encouraged other critical players to make huge
investments in the country.
He added that the
Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, which currently employs over 6,000 persons, is
open to competitive business as it is focused on cutting down the operational
cost of its clients by 30 per cent.
Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, which currently employs over 6,000 persons, is
open to competitive business as it is focused on cutting down the operational
cost of its clients by 30 per cent.
In his response, the CGC,
Col. Hammed Ali promised to look at laws that exist so as to address the
lingering controversy.
Col. Hammed Ali promised to look at laws that exist so as to address the
lingering controversy.
He said, “Let me assure
this great company that the government of President Buhari is the government of
fairness, equity, and transparency.
this great company that the government of President Buhari is the government of
fairness, equity, and transparency.
“In the past, certain
things were done not in accordance with the laws of this great nation; the idea
of change is to get back to doing business with the right framework.
things were done not in accordance with the laws of this great nation; the idea
of change is to get back to doing business with the right framework.
“I want to
underscore the fact that we as Nigeria Customs Service have no choice but work
along that path.
underscore the fact that we as Nigeria Customs Service have no choice but work
along that path.
“I want to assure
you that all issues that have been raised, we will go back and look at the laws
that exist. I can assure you that if we find something contradictory to the
law, we will address it.”
you that all issues that have been raised, we will go back and look at the laws
that exist. I can assure you that if we find something contradictory to the
law, we will address it.”
Col.
Ali (Rtd.) also pledged support of the Service for all law-abiding businesses.
Ali (Rtd.) also pledged support of the Service for all law-abiding businesses.
