The House of Representatives has started investigations into the termination of the contract between Integrated Logistics Services (Intels) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Background:

• The Federal Government had terminated the pilotage agreement between Intels and the NPA.
• Intels is co-founded by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
• The Federal Government had said the agreement did not follow due process.

What the legislators said:

The resolution by the house followed a motion sponsored by Diri Douye, a lawmaker from Bayelsa.

Duoye said over 7000 Nigerians work for Intels and terminating the contract would have negative effects.

He said there is a need to ascertain the process of termination of contracts between Nigeria Ports Authority and Intels.

Ekpo Attah, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom said status quo should be maintained.

“Intels employs a lot of people. I submit that this motion is very pertinent and Intels should be returned to status quo,” She said.

Opposing the motion, Rotimi Agunsoye, a lawmaker from Lagos, said Intels should go to court to seek redress.

He said the house had no business looking into the issue.

“If they have any problem with government they should go to court. The motion should not come here,” Agunsoye said.

The motion was adopted by the house after Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, put the motion to a voice vote.

The committee is expected submit its report in two weeks.

Azeez