Reps begin probe of airports, seaports concessions

The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into the performance of concessionaires operating federal airports and seaports terminals, as well as the benefits accrued to the federal government from the concession arrangements.

The probe, which will cover the period 2006 to 2025, is aimed at assessing compliance with safety standards, revenue performance, operational efficiency and environmental governance across Nigeria’s air and seaboard terminals.

Inaugurating the ad hoc committee to investigate and appraise the concessions on Tuesday, the Speaker of the House, Abbass Tajudeen, said the exercise was necessary to ensure the federal government and Nigerians derive maximum value from port and terminal operations.

The Speaker, who was represented by Hon. Laori Kwamoti, said the committee was constituted in line with the House’s constitutional oversight responsibility to examine the outcomes of concession agreements entered into by the federal government over the years and determine the actual benefits accrued to the country.

He noted that the decision to concession key national assets such as airports and seaports was originally driven by the need to enhance efficiency, attract private sector investment, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and increase government revenue while reducing the operational burden 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,” the Speaker said.

Abbas stressed that the exercise was not intended to undermine legitimate private sector participation, but to ensure accountability and safeguard national interest.

According to him, Nigerians deserve to know whether the 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 outlined the scope of the committee’s assignment to include the examination of concession agreements entered into between 2006 and 2025, assessment of revenue flows and remittances to the federal government and its agencies, and a review of compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations by concessionaires.

Other areas of focus, he said, include infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality, labour issues, identification of challenges and systemic weaknesses within the concession framework, as well as the formulation of practicable recommendations to improve policy, legislation and future concession arrangements.

The Speaker said the House had reposed confidence in the integrity, competence and patriotism of committee members, urging them to carry out the assignment with objectivity, professionalism and transparency, guided strictly by facts, documents and national interest.

Earlier, chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole, said the scope of the investigation will involve engagement with concessionaires, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, operators of crude oil and gas terminals, shipping companies, importers, charter operators, domestic business owners and financial institutions.

He called on members of the committee and all stakeholders that will be engaged to approach the hearing with the highest level of professionalism and commitment to national interest.

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