By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives has commenced a comprehensive probe into the performance of concessionaires operating Nigeria’s air and sea port terminals, calling for transparency, accountability and value for money under the arrangement.
Speaking during an investigative hearing with stakeholders in Abuja, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo described the exercise as a critical phase in the Committee’s assignment.
Hon. Akinlayo said the probe would assess the effectiveness of the port concession regime introduced in 2006, which was aimed at improving efficiency, attracting private investment and boosting infrastructure development in the aviation and maritime sectors.
“This session marks a critical phase in the Committee’s assignment. Today, we shall engage directly with terminal operators whose roles have been central to the concession regime introduced nearly two decades ago,” he said.
Speaking further, the Chairman noted that the policy was designed to deliver measurable economic benefits to the Federal Government and Nigerians, stressing that the Committee would determine whether those objectives had been achieved.
“The Committee’s mandate is clear: to assess performance, determine value for money, identify gaps, and ensure that the intended objectives of these concessions have been met in a transparent and accountable manner,” he added.
He urged concessionaires to provide factual and verifiable accounts of their operations, investments, and compliance with concession agreements, emphasizing that the integrity of submissions would guide the committee’s final recommendations.
“We expect full cooperation, candour, and professionalism from all parties,” the Chairman said.
Speaking at the hearing, the Executive Director, Ports and Cargo Terminal at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Lukeman Olaruwanju highlighted significant investments made by terminal operators in equipment and infrastructure.
He disclosed that operators had exceeded some of their initial equipment obligations, noting that while only 20 trucks were originally required, operators currently deploy about 125 trucks for operations, alongside increased capacity in other cargo handling equipment.
He further detailed investments in equipment such as reach stackers, forklifts, terminal tractors, and empty container handlers, with combined monetary values running into tens of millions of dollars, as well as infrastructure upgrades including quay reinforcement and maintenance facility renovations.
The NIMASA official also noted improvements in operational efficiency, deployment of information technology systems, cybersecurity upgrades, and human capital development.
The Committee is expected to continue its hearings with other stakeholders as it works toward a comprehensive report on the impact of port concessions on Nigeria’s economy.
