By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the performance and benefits accrued to the Federal Government from concessionaires operating air and sea port terminals has given relevant agencies and concessionaires a seven-day ultimatum to submit all requested documents.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, stated that the committee already possesses extensive records and data from relevant government agencies covering the period under review, but requires corresponding submissions from concessionaires and stakeholders for verification and comparison.
“We have data from 2006 to 2025. What we need now is your own submission to compare with what has already been submitted to us by the agencies,” he said.
The committee’s directive applies to key stakeholders including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The committee had initially proposed a 72-hour deadline for submission of documents but, following appeals during the interactive session, resolved to grant agencies and concessionaires from Monday to Friday next week to comply.
Akinlayo stressed that failure to submit the requested documents by the close of work on Friday next week would attract consequences, including possible referral to relevant investigative and prosecutorial bodies.
“Any organisation that fails to comply within the stipulated period will leave us with no option,” he cautioned.
The chairman reiterated that the investigation is not a witch-hunt but a constitutional oversight function aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime and aviation sectors.
“This is not a witch-hunt. We are here to work for the benefit of Nigeria,” he added.
Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Harrison Anozie, stressed that the investigation would be strictly fact-based and guided by the concession agreements signed by the parties.
“When you speak, you must speak to documents. We will rely on facts as contained in the agreements and your submissions,” he said.
