Some aggrieved bidders have, in recent weeks, accused the management of NPA of attempting to award the contracts to 'incompetent' companies allegedly belonging to some politicians eyeing the 2019 Presidential election.
They claimed that one of the companies that will be given the job is the one owned by one of the former Executive Directors, Marine and Operations.
They said the company is to be given a job in Onne, to monitor petrol, while a company also said to belong to one of the current General Manager will be given General Cargo contract in Warri.
According to the bidders, the companies, which have never done nothing relating to cargo monitoring and inspection, will get contracts for 10years as against the usual five years.
Speaking on the issue, Ottor discarded the allegation and expressed confidence that NPA management will eventually select the best bid.
His words: "I have been reading in the papers about the alleged manipulation but I do not agree the NPA management will manipulate the bid to favour some incompetent companies.
"My believe is that they will choose the best among all the bidders especially since there is a consultant handling the job to access all the bids and come out with the one that is most qualified.
"Every one of us, including the NPA management, is working for the progress of the industry. The process is ongoing and I am ready to work with the management and companies that emerge as winners. The progress of the industry is what is important,” he said.
He added: “There has never been any manipulation on the part of NPA in the past in awarding the contracts and I do not believe there will be any attempt to do that now under Hadiza Usman.
"Even names of successful companies have not been made public so I consider all the allegations as rumour. NPA knows the importance of awarding the contracts to experienced companies because of the sensitivity the job entails so I believe the management will always do the right thing.”
