By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing the performance and benefits accruing to the Federal Government from port and terminal concession agreements has issued a seven-day ultimatum to relevant agencies, concessionaires and stakeholders to submit all requested documents.
The investigation covers air and sea port terminal concessions and associated shipping activities spanning 2006 to 2025.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, delivered the directive at a public hearing in Abuja attended by key institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
Major operators and concessionaires present included Dangote Group, Julius Berger, Joseph Dam, West Africa Container Terminal, Tincan Terminal, ECM Terminal, Ibeto Terminal, APM Terminals, intervention facility operators, and other industry players.
Although the committee had initially set a 72-hour deadline, it extended the timeframe from Monday to Friday next week following appeals from stakeholders during the interactive session.
Akinlayo emphasised that the extension was granted in good faith and must be treated with utmost urgency. He explained that the committee already holds extensive records from government agencies covering the period under review, but requires corresponding submissions from concessionaires for verification and reconciliation.
“We have data from 2006 to 2025. What we need now is your own submission to compare with what has already been submitted to us by the agencies. We cannot rely on one-sided information. You must also present your records,” he stated.
He warned that failure to comply by close of business on Friday next week could result in referral to appropriate investigative and prosecutorial authorities. The committee further directed that chief executives and heads of the affected organisations must appear before the panel at the expiration of the deadline to account for their records and clarify any discrepancies.
“Any organisation that fails to comply within the stipulated period will leave us with no option. Once we adopt the information before us and you have not made your submission, we may refer the matter to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Akinlayo cautioned.
He reiterated that the probe is not a witch-hunt but a constitutional oversight exercise aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime and aviation sectors.
“This is not a witch-hunt. We are here to work for the benefit of Nigeria. Asking for these submissions is even in your interest because it gives you the opportunity to clarify your position,” he added.
Deputy Chairman Hon. Harrison Anozie underscored that the inquiry would be strictly evidence-based and guided by the concession agreements signed by the parties.
“When you speak, you must speak to documents. We will rely on facts as contained in the agreements and your submissions. If you claim any agency stopped you from carrying out your obligations, show us the written evidence,” he said.
He reminded concessionaires that the agreements were voluntarily entered into and that due diligence ought to have preceded their execution.
“No one forced you into these agreements. You signed them and committed to specific improvements in the facilities assigned to you. Those obligations are clearly stated. Where you have done well in line with your agreement, you will be commended. Where you have not, the facts will speak for themselves,” Anozie stated.
He added that substantive hearings would commence once all submissions are received, analysed and benchmarked against existing industry data.
The committee maintained that the 19-year review seeks to ensure that concession arrangements have delivered value to the Federal Government and strengthened operations across the nation’s ports, airports and terminals.
“The country must work again, and it must work for all of us,” the panel affirmed.
