Reps open probe into airport, seaport concessions since 2006

The House of Representatives has opened an investigation which seeks to appraise the performance of concessionaires operating federal airports and seaports, as well as related shipping activities, amid concerns over whether the country is receiving adequate value and revenue from nearly two decades of concession arrangements.

The Green Chamber on Tuesday inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to review concessions and port operations covering the period from 2006 to 2025 and determine the actual benefits accrued to the Federal Government from private operators and NPA-managed terminals.

Speaking at the inauguration, Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House, represented by Loari Kwamoti, noted that the decision to concession Nigeria’s major air and sea gateways was originally driven by the need to enhance efficiency, attract private capital, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and 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,” Abbas said.

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He stressed that the exercise was not aimed at undermining legitimate private sector participation, but was part of the House’s constitutional responsibility 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 said.

According to him, the committee’s mandate includes examining the terms and conditions of concession agreements entered into between 2006 and 2025, assessing revenue flows and remittances to the Federal Government and its agencies, and reviewing compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations.

The committee will also appraise infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality and labour issues, identify gaps and systemic weaknesses in the concession framework, and propose practicable recommendations to improve policy, legislation and future concession arrangements.

In his opening remarks, Kolawale Akinlayo, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee said the panel 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 sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure and critical enablers of trade, mobility and development,” he said.

He informed that the Committee would engage a wide range of Government agencies, regulators and private sector stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, concessionaires, terminal operators, crude oil and gas terminal operators, domestic vessel owners and charterers, importers, shipping companies and banks.

According to the chairman, engagements will focus on compliance with applicable laws, operational efficiency, complaints of statutory breaches and revenue performance.

“Our objective is to ensure that the Federal Government and the Nigerian people derive maximum benefits from port and terminal operations, that revenues due are fully captured, and that operational lapses or inefficiencies are identified and addressed,” he said.

He called on stakeholders to approach the process with seriousness, candour and a shared commitment to national interest over narrow advantage.