An uneasy calm is currently pervading the Maritime Industry in Nigeria, with one of the major oil servicing firms, Intels Nigeria Limited, concluding arrangement to terminate the appointments of over 300 of its employees.

A competent source in the company, who pleaded anonymity for obvious reason, confirmed the development, and added that the exercise is scheduled to take effect next week.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that we are laying off some of our staff. We can no longer carry the burden, and it may interest you to know that the hash business environment in your country (Nigeria) is largely responsible for this,” the source said.

However, labour leader and President of the Duckworkers branch of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Ade Adejunju in a telephone chat, confirmed the development and added that, business activities in the country, especially at the nation’s ports has completely nosedived.

“As I talk to you now, since the beginning of this year, no single vessel has come into the IML port complex, located at Apapa, in Lagos. Everywhere is dry and Nigerians working at the ports are worried. Intels Nigeria Limited has concluded arrangement to sack 300 workers. We have begged them and they seem to have exhausted their patience, so we don’t know what to do next.”

Intels Nigeria Limited was established 25 years ago with the vision to develop an integrated logistics solution offering a complete package of facilities and services to the Oil & Gas industry in Nigeria. Intels Nigeria Limited has a total staff strength of 5,000.

Intels Nigeria, working in conjunction with Intels West Africa (Intels), has become established as leading supplier of oil and gas logistic support services throughout West Africa and particularly Nigeria.

First in Nigeria and then in other countries, Intels has pioneered the concept of the integrated ‘one-stop-shop’ oil service center bringing together terminal operations, logistics plus transit and supply services.

To complete the range of services available at the oil service centers, and to offer a more complete logistics package Intels also provides dedicated manpower and equipment hire, secure residential housing and commercial office areas.

This benefits the Operators by allowing them to concentrate on their core business rather than invest time and resources in peripheral activities. But the hash economic realities in Nigeria, which seem not to have feasible solution in sight, has compelled the company to closed down four of its units.