By Oladosu Adebola Oluwaseun
…To quiz NUPRC, operators of crude oil & gas terminals, banks
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Tuesday flag-off investigation into the concession of all federal air and seaports terminals and other related shipping activities carried out between 2006 and 2025. Speaker Tajudeen explained that the Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon, Kolawole Akinlayo was constituted to investigate, examine, and appraise the performance of NPA-concessionaires operating the facilities and determine the actual benefits accrued to Federal Government over the period under review.
Hon. Tajudeen who was represented Hon. Laori Kwamoti, acknowledged that Federal Government’s decision to concession key national assets, particularly our seaports and airports, was driven by government’s desire to enhance efficiency, attract private sector investment, modernize infrastructure, improve service delivery, and ultimately increase government revenue while reducing operational burdens on the state.
“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative for the Legislature, as representatives of the Nigerian people, to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes. “For the avoidance of doubt, this exercise is not an attempt to undermine legitimate private sector participation, it is rather an expression of the House’s constitutional mandate to conduct oversight, ensure accountability, and safeguard national interest.
“Nigerians deserve to know whether these concessions have delivered value for money, complied with contractual obligations, enhanced national competitiveness, protected public assets, and contributed meaningfully to economic growth, employment, and revenue generation,” he noted.
According to him, the scope of the investigation includes, but not limited to: an examination of the terms and conditions of concession agreements entered into from 2006 to 2025; assessment of revenue flows, remittances, and other financial benefits accruing to the Federal Government and its agencies; as well as review of compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety obligations by concessionaires.
The Ad-hoc Committee is also expected to appraise infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality, and labour issues; identification of challenges, gaps, and systemic weaknesses within the concession framework; and formulation of clear, practicable recommendations to improve policy, legislation, and future concession arrangements.While expressing the enormous confidence that the House has in the members’ integrity, competence, and sense of patriotism, he urged them “to carry out this assignment with objectivity, professionalism, and transparency, guided solely by facts, documents, and the overriding national interest.”
Your work must reflect fairness to all stakeholders while remaining firm in the defence of public assets and public trust. I urge you to openly and constructively engage relevant stakeholders; Let your proceedings be thorough, evidence-based, and free from preconceived conclusions. Above all, ensure that your findings and recommendations will strengthen governance, deepen accountability, and enhance the sustainability of Nigeria’s transport and maritime sectors.”
Speaker Tajudeen expressed optimism that the outcome of this investigation will not “only shape public confidence in concessioning as a policy tool but will also inform future reforms in public-private partnerships across critical sectors of our economy. History will judge us by how faithfully we discharge this responsibility to the Nigerian people.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Kolawole Akinlayo disclosed that the Ad-hoc Committee was “constituted in response to growing national concern over the management, performance, transparency, and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing some of Nigeria’s most strategic public assets.”
These assets—our seaports, airports, terminals, and jetties—are not ordinary commercial facilities. They are sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure, and critical enablers of trade, mobility, and development.”
The House of Representatives, recognizing the critical importance of our nation’s maritime and port infrastructure to economic growth, trade facilitation, and national revenue generation, resolved to establish this Committee to ensure a thorough and evidence-based review of the benefits accruing to the Federal Government from these operations.
This Committee is therefore tasked with performing oversight that is not only comprehensive but also transparent, objective, and accountable.”
According to him, some of the Stakeholders to be invited are: Nigerian Ports Authority, concessionaires, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigeria Shippers’ Council, operators of crude oil and gas terminals, domestic vessel owners and charterers, importers, shipping companies and Banks.
He explained that the Ad-hoc Committee’s engagements will focus on “compliance with applicable laws, operational efficiencies, complaints of statutory breaches, and revenue performance, among other critical areas.”
Our objective is clear: to ensure that the Federal Government and the Nigerian people derive maximum benefits from our port and terminal operations, that revenues due are fully captured, and that operational lapses or inefficiencies are identified and addressed. This is not only an exercise in review but a critical step toward strengthening governance, promoting accountability, and fostering an enabling environment for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector,” he assured.
To this end, Hon. Akinlayo expressed optimism that the outcomes of the investigation will leave legacy of stronger infrastructure governance, improved service delivery, enhanced investor discipline, and restored public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programme.
