Dawis: INTELS to Remain in Business Despite Recession

By John Iwori
 

The Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (INTELS), Mr. Andrew Dawis has said that the firm will remain in business in spite of the recession in the Nigerian economy.

To actualise its goals, he assured that the company had taken necessary steps to remain in business notwithstanding the negative impact on its business as a result of the downturn in the economy,

He stated that since the recession began early this year, the fortunes in the oil and gas industry as well as the maritime industry had been adversely affected.

Dawis who stated this yesterday when the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman made her maiden visit to INTELS corporate headquarters, Onne, expressed hope that the company would come out of the recession better prepared for the future when the oil and gas sector rebounded.

His words: What is critical is that we have taken the necessary difficult steps today that will prepare ourselves and our clients to come out ahead and better prepared for when the industry rebounds.  As an indigenous company, and as a partner to the NPA (government) and to the major oil and oil service companies, we are taking this responsibility very seriously”

He expressed optimism that a better future was ahead but noted that times were very tough for all of them in the oil and gas sector, which unfortunately has led to a number of layoffs and a reduction in revenue across the industry.

According to Dawis, despite the down turn, INTELS would continue to press ahead with investment that would yield significant dividends to the oil/gas and maritime sectors in the future. We are a Nigerian company and we will remain 100 per cent committed to Nigeria at all times.

He expressed happiness over the visit of the NPA boss to INTELS. “We (INTELS) are delighted to welcome the NPA delegation to Onne today to see first-hand the level of development going on down here”, he said.

Giving an insight into the operations of the firm, Dawis told the NPA delegation that INTELS had over 30 years of experience in ports management and terminal logistics support services in shore bases across Nigeria and Africa

According to him, INTELS had adopted global best practice from around the world including Norway and Aberdeen in the development of the company’s specialised concept which centralised all logistic support in one area.

He said that the company had invested billions of dollars in Onne in partnership with the NPA since receiving their first concession in 2005. The figures include deep offshore investment in Phase 4B of which has gulped millions dollars.

The INTELS CEO also said that the company had contributed much more money into the coffers of the Nigerian government than its competitors, adding that INTELS was the only facility with approved Free Trade Zone (FTZ) status capable of handling oil and gas cargoes.

He said that the company had installed facilities that strategically supported over 100 clients at any given time.

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