The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Public Assets has accused Intels Nigeria Limited of owing the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) approximately $10 million.
The committee chairman, Uche Annie-Okonkwo, disclosed this during an investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Monday. He criticized the NPA management for failing to recover the debt, despite Intels continuing operations across its facilities.
Annie-Okonkwo suggested that internal collusion within the NPA could be preventing the recovery of funds meant for the Federal Government.
“The amount Intels ought to pay NPA is approximately $10 million,” he stated.
He further alleged that another company, Starz Marine and Engineering Ltd., had failed to remit payments to the NPA for about three years, raising concerns about the legitimacy of its lease agreement.
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“There are claims that the company has been given a long-term lease, whereas there is nothing in place stating that such an agreement was entered into,” he added.
The committee warned NPA management against engaging in deals with concessionaires that could divert government funds.
While investigations into potential lease and concession abuses are ongoing, Annie-Okonkwo said the committee found it necessary to issue a warning due to rising concerns about financial mismanagement and non-compliance with contractual agreements.
Annie-Okonkwo also cited Truck Transit Limited as another example of non-compliance, revealing that the company still operates a manual truck parking and entrance system despite its contract requiring the construction of an automated system.
“Truck Transit Limited, for instance, is still operating a manual operation system even though their contract stipulates that the company construct an automatic system for truck parking and entrance to NPA terminals,” he lamented.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets, chaired by Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos), oversees the management, use, and disposal of federal assets both within and outside Nigeria.
Annie-Okonkwo was recently appointed as Chairman of the Sub-Committee on NPA, following the appointment of Ibrahim Isiaka as Deputy Chief Whip of the House.
Source: Ripples