By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the benefits accruing to the Federal Government from the concessioning of Nigerian ports and terminals has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against frustrating its ongoing probe.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kolawole Akinlayo, issued the warning during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, expressing displeasure over the refusal of some government agencies and companies to honour invitations or provide required documents for the investigation.
Akinlayo said the committee was disturbed that some invited stakeholders were either refusing to appear before it or submitting incomplete documents that could hinder the progress of the investigation.
He warned that the committee may invoke relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to compel the agencies to appear and provide the necessary information.
The committee was mandated by the House of Representatives to investigate and assess the performance and benefits accruing to the Federal Government from concessionaire-operated ports, airports terminals and related inbound and outbound shipping activities between 2006 and 2025.
According to him, the panel is also tasked with examining the terms and conditions of concession agreements signed within the period, assessing revenue flows and remittances to government agencies, and reviewing compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations by concessionaires.
He said the investigation would further appraise infrastructural development, operational efficiency, service delivery, and labour-related issues under the concession framework, while identifying gaps and systemic weaknesses.
The committee, he added, would also make clear and practical recommendations aimed at improving policy, legislation and future concession arrangements in the sector.
Akinlayo explained that the committee was constituted in response to growing national concerns over the management, transparency, performance and overall value of concession arrangements involving critical national assets.
“These assets our seaports, airports, terminals and jetties are not ordinary commercial facilities. They are sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure and vital drivers of trade, mobility and national development,” he said.
He noted that since the commencement of the investigation, members of the committee had carried out their responsibilities with a high sense of professionalism, transparency and commitment to national interest.
However, he lamented that more than a month into the assignment, the committee had faced serious challenges in getting some government agencies to cooperate with the investigation.
“Many important agencies have deliberately refused to honour our invitations without any justifiable reason. Even some that appeared before the committee failed to submit the required documents,” Akinlayo said.
He cited the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as one of the agencies that appeared before the committee but failed to fully comply with requests for relevant documents.
The committee subsequently issued a final warning to several agencies and companies to cooperate with the probe or face constitutional sanctions.
Those listed include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), INTELS Nigeria Limited and Julius Berger Plc.
Akinlayo stressed that the committee would no longer tolerate what he described as contempt for the National Assembly.
He explained that Sections 89 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution empower the legislature to issue summons, warrants and impose sanctions on individuals or organisations that fail to comply with its directives.
“In more serious situations, the legislature also has the constitutional authority to recommend the removal of public office holders who fail to properly discharge their statutory responsibilities,” he said.
He further warned that the committee would not hesitate to subpoena any uncooperative chief executive officer or head of agency and could direct the Inspector-General of Police to enforce compliance where necessary.
“We will not develop cold feet in directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest any CEO or head of an agency that refuses to honour our invitation,” he said.
Akinlayo emphasised that the investigation was not aimed at witch-hunting any organisation or individual but was necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of national assets.
He said Nigerians deserve to know whether the concession arrangements have delivered value for money, improved service delivery, protected public assets and contributed meaningfully to economic growth and revenue generation.
“The only way to achieve this is through full cooperation from all stakeholders involved in the concession process,” he added.
The committee therefore appealed to all affected organisations and agencies to honour the invitations extended to them and provide all required documents promptly.
“We will not entertain frivolous excuses because this assignment must be completed within the stipulated time,” he said.
End
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