Port terminals de-categorization: Court orders NPA, others to maintain status quo

Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja has issued an interim order directing the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to hold on to its proposed plan on the de-categorization of terminals at the nation’s seaports. 

NPA had directed that every terminal in the port is free to receive cargo in so far as they have technical competence to handle such. 

The Managing Director of NPA, Hasiza Bala Usman, has said that it would reduce monopoly in the ports industry and enhance operational efficiency.

INTELS had insisted that it would compel NPA to respect the concession agreement which the Federal Government entered into with concessionaires.

Consequently, INTELS  Nigeria Limited had gone to court to restrain the Management of NPA and four other agencies from going ahead with the plan.

Granting the prayers of INTELS, the court had directed NPA and four others to maintain the status quo until the determination of the suit filed by INTELS Nigeria Limited 

INTELS, which filed the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/417/2017 at the Federal High Court Abuja, is, among other reliefs, asking the court to issue an order stopping NPA and other defendants including their representatives, agents or privies from implementing a proposed policy review which purports to cancel the designation of ports and terminals in Nigeria having led it into committing huge human, financial and material resources into developing five port terminals located in Calabar Terminal A, Warri Old Terminal A, Warri New Port Terminal B, Onne Port Federal Ocean Terminal A and Onne Port Federal Lighter Terminal B.