Ports, Airports under scrutiny as Reps probe concession agreements

The House of Representatives has constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate the performance of concessionaires operating federal airports and seaports, as well as the benefits accrued to the Federal Government from related shipping activities between 2006 and 2025.

The move was announced on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented at the event by Rep. Loari Kwamoti.

Abbas said the decision was in line with the House’s constitutional responsibility to provide oversight, ensure accountability and protect national interest in the management of critical public assets.

He recalled that the concessioning of Nigeria’s airports and seaports was introduced to improve operational efficiency, attract private sector investment, modernise infrastructure, enhance service delivery and increase government revenue, while reducing the financial burden on the state.

“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative for the legislature to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes,” the Speaker said.

He stressed that the investigation was not intended to undermine private sector participation but to determine whether the concession agreements delivered value for money and served the best interest of Nigerians.

According to Abbas, the committee’s mandate includes examining concession agreements executed between 2006 and 2025, assessing revenue remittances to the Federal Government and its agencies, reviewing compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations, and evaluating infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality and labour-related issues.

He added that the probe would also identify gaps and weaknesses in the existing concession framework with a view to recommending reforms.

The Speaker urged committee members to conduct the assignment with objectivity, professionalism and transparency, noting that the outcome would shape public confidence in concessioning as a public-private partnership policy.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Rep. Kolawale Akinlayo, said the panel was established pursuant to House Resolution HR.130/12/2025, following growing national concerns over the transparency, management and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing key national assets.

“These assets — our seaports, airports, terminals and jetties — are not ordinary commercial facilities. They are sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure and critical drivers of trade, mobility and development,” Akinlayo said.

He explained that the committee would carry out a thorough, transparent and evidence-based review of benefits accruing to the Federal Government from concessionaires, as well as ports, terminals and logistics facilities operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), within the period under review.

The chairman disclosed that the committee would engage key stakeholders, including the NPA, concessionaires, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, operators of crude oil and gas terminals, domestic vessel owners and charterers, shipping companies, importers and financial institutions.

He said engagements would focus on compliance with applicable laws, operational efficiency, complaints of statutory breaches and revenue performance.

Akinlayo emphasised that the objective of the investigation is to ensure that revenues due to the Federal Government are fully accounted for, inefficiencies are addressed and Nigerians derive maximum benefits from port and terminal operations.

“This is not just a review exercise but a critical step toward strengthening governance, promoting accountability and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programme,” he said.

The ad-hoc committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the House upon the conclusion of its investigation.

Very Nigerian

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