Reps Extend Deadline in 20-Year Port, Airport Concession Probe
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating concession agreements in Nigeria’s aviation and maritime sectors has granted a seven-day extension to government agencies and private operators to submit documents covering transactions and operations from 2006 to 2025.
The decision was announced in Abuja by the committee chairman, Kolawole Akinlayo, during a public hearing attended by regulators and concessionaires.
The panel had earlier set a 72-hour deadline but adjusted the timeline following appeals from stakeholders.
Among agencies represented at the session were the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. Major concessionaires and terminal operators, including Dangote Group and Julius Berger, were also present alongside other industry players.
Akinlayo stated that the committee already possesses extensive documentation from regulatory bodies for the period under review but requires corresponding submissions from concessionaires to ensure fairness and accuracy in its findings. He cautioned that failure to comply within the new timeframe could result in further legislative action, including referral to appropriate authorities.
He also directed chief executives and heads of relevant agencies to appear before the committee once the deadline expires to address inconsistencies and clarify outstanding issues.
The chairman maintained that the probe forms part of the legislature’s constitutional oversight responsibility and is not intended to target any organisation unfairly.
A standard reporting template has been circulated to guide uniform submissions.
Deputy Chairman Harrison Anozie stressed that the inquiry would rely strictly on documentary evidence and the specific obligations contained in concession contracts. He noted that operators voluntarily entered into the agreements and are bound by defined performance benchmarks and investment commitments.
Nigeria commenced the concessioning of major port terminals in 2006 as part of a reform programme aimed at modernising infrastructure, boosting efficiency and reducing congestion, while ownership of the facilities remained with the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Similar public-private partnership arrangements have since been introduced in segments of the aviation sector.
Nearly two decades on, lawmakers say the review will assess financial returns to government, infrastructural improvements delivered by operators and compliance with contractual obligations.
The committee’s findings are expected to determine whether the agreements have provided value for money and strengthened operations across the country’s ports and airports.
