The House of Representatives has adjourned its ongoing investigation into the disposal of public property by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) due to the incompetence of the NPA delegation. The investigation seeks to examine the sale of 45 million items/barrels at Lagos Ports Complex, Papa, Lagos in 2022, as well as the sale of 10,800,700 items for N1 each, totaling N10.800 million in 2021 from the NPA Dockyard Papa, Lagos.
The Ad-hoc Committee overseeing the investigation is chaired by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and has been mandated to investigate the disposal of public property by government agencies between 2010 and 2022. The aim is to uncover any illegal auctioning of public property and the non-remittance of revenue realized into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Documents presented to the Ad-hoc Committee by the NPA showed that the agency sold 16 vessels for a total of N156,233,966.75 in 2019. The vessels ranged from ML Pategi, ML Misau, PB Kabba, SPB 3, PC Shelleng, ML Sakwa, Floating Dock V, ML Tangeli, and ML Tandama, among others.
Additionally, the NPA sold 44 exotic vehicles and various office equipment, generating millions in revenue. Some stakeholders have raised concerns that some of the items described as “unserviceable” are still in good condition.
During the proceedings, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, did not appear before the Ad-hoc Committee, citing operational reasons. The Committee issued a final warning to the newly appointed NCS Comptroller General, emphasizing the importance of accountability and discipline in the public service.
The investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the disposal of public property and the remittance of revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
