BY CLARA NWACHUKWU
Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has appointed six additional pre-shipment agents for oil and gas exports under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme, NESS, according to a statement by the apex bank. This brings to seven the number of pre-shipment agents for the NESS.

However, not only were applicants not happy that the appointment process took more than two years after the single appointment of Colbalt International Services Limited in November 2008, but also those who were left out in the plum deal, alleged foul play and unfair treatment in the process.

But a top CBN source said, “we followed due process in the appointment of the agents to the letter.”

The source in the Trade and Exchange Department of the regulatory bank, told Vanguard on the telephone on Monday that, “Those that were appointed were considered to be the best under the prevailing circumstances.”

He added, “Nigerians are never satisfied with any process; they are always alleging unfair practice in everything, but anybody who knows the CBN of today, will know that we conduct our business according to the books.”

In a public notice on February 11, titled, Appointment of Additional Pre-shipment Inspection Agents for Oil and Gas Under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme, NESS, the CBN, named, Globalscan Systems Technology Limited; JBIS Integrated Resources Limited; and Robinson International Energy Limited. Others are ; Gulf Inspection Services Limited; Q& Q Control PSI Nigeria Limited; and Swede Control Intertek Limited.

Under the new arrangement, the crude oil export terminals were divided among the Colbat and the first four agents, while the last two companies were to act as monitoring and evaluation companies for pre-shipment agents.

The notice, which was signed by N.T. Igba, for the information of all authorized dealers, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the Department of Petroleum Resources and all oil and gas companies and the general public, said urged those concerned to take note.

The circular stated, “Authorised Dealers are reminded to ensure that NXP forms registered for export of Oil and Gas through the terminals mentioned above are submitted to the appropriate inspection agent assigned responsibility for the tenninal.

“Furthermore; Authorised Dealers should note that the NESS fee payable on all Oil and Gas exports has been reviewed to 0.20/0 of FOB value of the export, with effect from the date of this circular.“

Accordingly, Colbat is the preshipment agent for six of the terminals including, Agbami, Odudu, EA, Okwori, Ima and Obe, while Globalscan is the agent for five including Qua Iboe, Bonny Oil and Nigeria NLNG, Forcados, Pennington, and Okoro.

The other agents, JBIS is incharge of Escravos, Erha, Akpo, Bonga, Abo, and Ukpokiti.