In what has been described as a shocking move, President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) contract.
The contract was signed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
According to the terms of the contract, vessels berthing in Nigeria pay money to a private company for security inside a ‘Secure Anchorage Area’ within the Nigerian ports.
A source in the presidency who pleaded anonimity confirmed that the contract handled by Ocean Marine Solutions Limited (OMSL) has been terminated.
The ownership of the company had also become a subject of controversy between two business moguls in the last few weeks.
The president was said to have caved under pressure to cancel the contract in the face of the public spat by the two businessmen.
The source said: “The president has directed the Navy to cancel the contract and return the security of the ports back to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).”
It will be recalled that a civil society group on the platform of Conduct and Due Process Group (CDPG), had raised an alarm alleging that the peace enjoyed by oil-producing areas may soon come to an abrupt end if the conflict between the two businessmen is not settled.
In a statement signed released on Tuesday, January 12, signed by the chairman, CDPG, Comrade Adediran Raymond, the group said it has been observing a situation that could quickly result in a conflict that would send the Niger Delta region into the dark ages.
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