By Halimah Olamide
Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has described as untrue allegations of being a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s recent reinstatement of Integrated Logistic Services Nigeria Limited (Intels) boat pilotage monitoring business.
NPO Reports gathered that the Nigerian Ports Authority, in a letter by Port Manager, Charles Okaga dated November 30 addressed to all shipping companies, announced the reinstatement of Intels as the Authority’s service boat operation monitoring provider in the pilotage districts.
The letter read in part, “This is to kindly inform you that sequel to the Presidential Directives dated 18th August 2023 and the consent Judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos dated 21st of September 2023, the Authority has extended the Service Boat Operation Contract between it and Intels Nigeria Limited.
“Further to the above and to support the Authority’s and Federal Government’s drive to increase revenue generation from the Service Boat Operations, Messrs. Intels Nigeria Limited has been directed to resume services immediately.
“This is in line with the terms of the extended contract contained in the Managing Agency Agreement conveying the scope of Services, in addition to the obligations of the Agent.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerians have reacted to this, insinuating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reinstated the Former Vice President’s business in Intel.
Abubakar has however cleared the air in a statement via his X platform on Sunday evening.
“In January 2021, I made public the sale of my shares in Integrated Logistic Services
Nigeria Limited (Intels) to Orlean Investment Group, the parent company of Intels.
“The phased sale of those shares that commenced in 2018 peaked in December 2020. Intels also made public my exit from the oil and gas logistics company, meaning that a different entity now owns those shares I sold.
“My divestment from the company that I co-founded has not been reversed. Consequently, I cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be a beneficiary of the reinstatement of the boat pilotage monitoring business that was taken away from Intels by the Federal Government.
“Therefore, the insinuation that I am a beneficiary of the decision to rescind the cancellation of the contract between Intels and the Federal Government is untrue and should be seen for what it is: mischief. -AA” He wrote.