Reps Inaugurate Committee to Probe Port, Airport Concessions Since 2006

The House of Representatives has inaugurated an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate and appraise the performance of concessionaires operating federal air and sea port terminals and related shipping activities between 2006 and 2025.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas represented by Hon. Loari Kwamoti at the inauguration held Tuesday at the National Assembly, Abuja said the probe aims to determine the actual benefits accrued to the Federal Government from the concession arrangements.

Abbas explained that the concessioning of key national assets, including seaports and airports, was introduced to enhance operational efficiency, attract private sector investment, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and boost government revenue while reducing the financial burden on government.

He said nearly two decades after the introduction of the concession programme, it had become necessary for the legislature to conduct a comprehensive review of its outcomes in line with its constitutional oversight responsibility.

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The Speaker stressed that the exercise was not intended to undermine private sector participation but to ensure accountability and protect national interest, adding that Nigerians deserved clarity on whether the concessions had delivered value for money and complied with contractual obligations.

He outlined the committee’s mandate to include examination of concession agreements signed between 2006 and 2025, assessment of revenue flows and remittances to government agencies, and review of compliance with regulatory, contractual and safety requirements by concessionaires.

Abbas further stated that the committee would appraise infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service delivery standards and labour-related issues, as well as identify systemic gaps within the concession framework and recommend reforms to strengthen future public-private partnerships.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Akinlayo Kolawole said the panel was constituted pursuant to House Resolution HR.130/12/2025 following growing national concerns over transparency, management and value outcomes of concession arrangements governing critical public infrastructure.

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He described Nigeria’s seaports, airports, terminals and jetties as strategic economic gateways and vital national security infrastructure that play a central role in trade facilitation, mobility and revenue generation for the country.

The chairman disclosed that the committee would engage relevant stakeholders including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, concessionaires, shipping companies, banks and importers.

He assured that the committee would conduct a transparent and evidence-based review to ensure the Federal Government and Nigerians derive maximum benefits from port and terminal operations, while urging stakeholders to cooperate fully with the committee in the national interest.