20 Years After, Reps Question Value of Nigeria’s Port Deals

The House of Representatives has intensified its probe into Nigeria’s port concession agreements, demanding clear accountability from terminal operators nearly 20 years after the policy began.

At an investigative hearing held Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Ad-hoc Committee made it clear that the focus is not just on listening to presentations, but on determining whether Nigeria has truly benefited from handing over port operations to private companies since 2006.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, described the session as a critical stage in the investigation, stressing that operators must provide verifiable evidence of their performance, investments, and compliance with agreements.

“This session marks a critical phase of our assignment. We are engaging directly with terminal operators whose roles have been central to this concession process,” he said.

Akinlayo noted that while the concession policy was introduced to improve efficiency, attract private investment, and boost infrastructure, the committee is now focused on finding out if those goals have actually been achieved.

“The Committee’s mandate is clear: to assess performance, determine value for money, identify gaps, and ensure that the intended objectives of these concessions have been met in a transparent and accountable manner,” he added.

He further warned that the credibility of the information provided by operators will play a key role in shaping the committee’s final recommendations.

At the hearing, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency presented what it described as progress made under the concession system.

Executive Director, Ports and Cargo Terminal, Lukeman Olaruwanju, told lawmakers that terminal operators have made significant investments in equipment and infrastructure, exceeding some of the original requirements.

He disclosed that while operators were initially required to provide about 20 trucks, they currently deploy roughly 125 trucks, alongside other equipment such as forklifts, terminal tractors, and container handlers.

Olaruwanju also pointed to improvements in technology, cybersecurity, and staff development, as well as upgrades to port infrastructure.

However, despite these claims, the committee signaled that investments alone would not be enough to justify the concession agreements, insisting that such improvements must translate into real economic value for the Federal Government and Nigerians.

The hearing is part of an ongoing process, with more stakeholders expected to appear before the panel in the coming days. Lawmakers are expected to examine financial records, compliance levels, and revenue outcomes as the probe continues.

The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report at the end of the investigation, which could influence future decisions on port management and possible reforms of concession agreements in Nigeria.