Stories by Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor,

Amidst growing concerns over alleged monopoly status enjoyed by one of the operators in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Logistics and supply services, key stakeholders have called for regulatory appraisal of the competition environment.

There are also indications that a policy dialogue would be established by the federal ministry of transportation for stakeholders in the maritime industry to address the lingering issues of monopoly and trade malpractices.

The indication came with recent acrimony generated by alleged forceful diversion of businesses to a particular operator under unsubstantiated government directive.

Last week, an official of the ministry told Vanguard that the authorities in the ministry as well as the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, may call a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the festering crisis.

He also indicated that the Federal Government of Nigeria would be reviewing the relevant laws and other directives guiding private sector operators in the maritime logistics services with a view to ensuring even playing field.

Also reacting to a similar complaint by the chairman of Jagal Group, owners of Nigerdock and Snake Island Intergrated Free Zone, SIIFZ, Mr. Anwar Jarmakani,

The Comptroller-General of NCS, Col. Hameed Alli (Retd) said last week that federal government would look into the industry competition issues with a view to redressing any anomaly, adding that the complaints earlier made by the management of the company would be scrutinized by top management of NCS who are knowledgable enough to know the right thing to do.

In his words “our people are knowledgable of what the law says and what happens here. We will go back and look at your claims and address anything that undermines the success of the industry.

“The idea of change is getting business on the line of law, equity and justice and we shall ensure that happens here”.

According to industry sources the operators are restive over the dominant monopoly in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Logistics and Supply Services which has existed for 20 years, sabotaging the national economy, conspiring and working against any potential competitors.

Giving the details of the complaints Jarmakani had told the NCS boss who was on official visit to the company last that the monopoly has consistently and aggressively used different government institutions to compromise, maintain and entrench its monopoly position with impunity.

He stated that attempts have been made in times past to also use the Customs. According to him the net effects of the monopoly’s actions include driving away investments from Nigeria, while making the oil and gas sector in Nigeria the most expensive in the world, adding extra cost of between USD3 and USD5 per barrel of oil produced in Nigeria which translates to over USD1.5 billion per annum.

Meanwhile Jarmakani has stated that SIIFZ and Nigerdock are open for competitive business and we are determined to bring down operational costs of their clients by at least 30 per cent.