Reps probe airport, seaport concessions from 2006 to 2025

By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Tuesday moved to investigate and appraise the performance and benefits accrued to the Federal Government from concessionaires operating federal air and seaport terminals, as well as related shipping activities, from 2006 to 2025.

Inaugurating the Commitee in Abuja, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by Rep. Loari Kwamoti, said the decision to constitute the committee was anchored on the House’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight, ensure accountability, and safeguard national interest in the management of critical public assets.

He recalled that the concessioning of Nigeria’s seaports and airports was aimed at improving efficiency, attracting private sector investment, modernising infrastructure, enhancing service delivery, and increasing 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 to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes,” the Speaker said, stressing that the exercise was not meant to undermine private sector participation but to determine whether the concessions delivered value for money to Nigerians.

Abbas explained that the committee’s mandate covers the examination of concession agreements entered into between 2006 and 2025, assessment of revenue flows and remittances to the Federal Government and its agencies, review of compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations, appraisal of infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality and labour issues, as well as the identification of gaps and weaknesses in the concession framework.

He urged members of the committee to carry out the assignment with objectivity, professionalism and transparency, noting that the outcome of the investigation would shape public confidence in concessioning as a policy tool and inform future reforms in public-private partnerships.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Kolawale Akinlayo said the panel was constituted pursuant to House Resolution HR.130/12/2025, following growing national concern over the management, transparency and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing some of Nigeria’s most strategic assets.

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

According to the chairman, the committee’s task is to conduct a thorough, transparent and evidence-based review of the benefits accruing to the Federal Government from concessionaires and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)-operated ports, terminals, logistics facilities and related inbound and outbound shipping activities within the period under review.

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

“Our engagements will focus on compliance with applicable laws, operational efficiencies, complaints of statutory breaches, and revenue performance, among other critical areas,” he said.

The chairman emphasised that the objective of the probe is to ensure that revenues due to the Federal Government are fully captured, operational inefficiencies are identified and addressed, and that the Nigerian people derive maximum benefits from port and terminal operations.

“This is not only an exercise in review but a critical step toward strengthening governance, promoting accountability, and fostering an enabling environment for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector,” he added.

He called on committee members and stakeholders to approach the exercise with a high sense of duty, professionalism and commitment to national interest, assuring that the committee was determined to leave behind a legacy of stronger infrastructure governance, improved service delivery, enhanced investor discipline and restored public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programme.

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

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