By David Okoh
The House of Representatives has Inaugurated a committee to commenced a far-reaching investigation into port and airport concession agreements amid concerns over infrastructural decay, expired contracts and alleged failure of concessionaires to remit due revenues to the Federal Government.
The probe, being conducted by an Ad-hoc Committee on the Investigation and Appraisal of Federal Government Benefits from Concessionaires, was prompted by an oversight visit to ports and terminals carried out by lawmakers in mid-2024.
According to the chairman of the committee, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole in an interview,the visit revealed what he described as alarming conditions, including lack of modern scanning equipment, inadequate dredging and absence of meaningful upgrades to port infrastructure despite the obligations clearly stated in concession agreements.
Kolawole explained that the failure to install scanners has forced customs officials to manually inspect containers, a practice he said is obsolete globally and contributes to congestion, delays and high costs at Nigerian ports. He added that modern vessels are unable to berth at most Nigerian ports, compelling shipping lines to divert to neighbouring countries, particularly the Republic of Benin, from where goods are trans-shipped into Nigeria.
The lawmaker further disclosed that several concessionaires are operating with expired lease agreements, some of which elapsed one or two years ago, yet continue operations on a monthly rent basis. He described the arrangement as abnormal and a violation of existing agreements, noting that it raises serious questions about accountability and transparency in the management of public assets.
He said the committee’s concerns extend beyond infrastructure to financial obligations, stressing that available evidence suggests the Federal Government has not received fair returns from the concessions between 2006 and 2025. According to him, the committee will examine lease terms, remittances and other statutory fees to determine the extent of revenue losses and recommend recovery where necessary.
Kolawole emphasized that the committee is not solely focused on revenue recovery but also on improving service delivery and ensuring value for public assets. He said the House would advise the Federal Government to introduce stricter performance-based clauses in future agreements, allowing for swift termination of contracts where concessionaires fail to meet agreed standards.
To ensure compliance with its findings, the committee has engaged key security and anti-corruption agencies, including the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Kolawole expressed confidence that the committee’s report would be implemented once submitted to the Presidency, relevant ministries and the House of Representatives.
He added that the ultimate goal of the investigation is to reposition Nigeria’s ports to meet international standards, restore investor confidence and ensure that the country derives full economic benefits from its strategic maritime assets.
