NPA STAND ON MULTI-MILLION NAIRA CORRUPTION ALLEGATION AS FABRICATED, BASELESS, UNWARRANTED
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has vehemently rubbished online reports alleging massive corruption within the agency, labeling the claims as baseless, misleading, and lacking any factual foundation. The NPA stated that the publications are entirely spurious and without merit, aimed at tarnishing the image of the organization.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has strongly refuted online reports (excluding Todaynews) alleging widespread corruption within the agency, describing the claims as unfounded, misleading, and lacking factual basis. The NPA asserts that these publications are entirely fabricated and without merit, intended to tarnish the organization’s reputation.
NPA’s management, in line with it’s duty of probity to the general public, subsequently set out, to address the allegations, which included an alleged: “emergency $25 million dredging contract for Warri Port, awarded without Federal Executive Council approval, in violation of procurement laws” and a usurp of powers by the ED of Finance, whom the anonymous sources described as a “de facto CEO,” not only ignoring the MD’s instructions, but also allegedly holding over 1,000 official files hostage.
In a statement issued by the Authority debunking the allegations specifically clarified that the budget and expenditure of the NPA are subject to strict supervision by the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation, and comprehensive oversight by the National Assembly, rendering allegations of misapplication of budgetary provisions impossible.
“The contract for dredging works at the Warri Escravos Channel, (hub of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Operations), which became necessary because of the need to tackle the increasing siltation of the channel and forestall the international embarrassment and huge investment losses from shipping vessels running aground, followed laid down processes and procedure for emergency procurement as laid down in the Procurement Act, 2007, contrary to allegations in the report.
*The procurement of Marine crafts such as tugboats and pilot cutters was carried out in line with the provisions of the Procurement Act, 2007. The process for this equipment was initiated and undertaken in response to the exigency of ensuring national energy security through the implementation of sale of Crude oil in Naira to domestic refiners which involved intensive offshore operations.
*The allegation of documents being withheld “for over a year” is untenable, as the extant civil service guidelines governing the timeline for processing of official documents make it impossible.
*Allegations made in connection with expenditures at the Authority’s London office are outrightly false as there are dealings or transactions speculated in the report that never took place.
*The marked increase in revenue figures for 2024 was due to exchange rate gains, since the Authority is denominated in FOREX in line with global maritime best practice.
*The promotion of employees, as well as the appointment of Assistant General Managers and General Managers, were undertaken to address the age stagnation of personnel in the Authority. Management, however, followed due process as prescribed in the Authority’s duly approved conditions of service.
Revocation or otherwise of third-party contractual agreements of the Authority was in accordance with extant law as well as contractual agreements with all the concerned parties.
The allegation of “staff morale being at rock bottom” falls flat in the face of reality. The current Management has to its credit the clearing of all outstanding issues of employee stagnation and the conduct of promotion examinations in 2024. The management has received commendation from the two in-house labour unions for these reasons. So, staff morale is at its peak currently.
To sustainably assure the competitiveness of Nigerian Ports and grow vessel and cargo throughput, the Authority recently secured Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the commencement of the Port Modernisation Programme
The management of the authority wishes to advise all media organisations to seek clarification of their reports from the Authority, whose doors are open to constructive engagements and clarifications where necessary.
The Abubakar Dantsoho-led Management of the Authority assures all stakeholders and the generality of Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to deepening the competitiveness of Nigerian Ports through infrastructure and equipment renewal (which has commenced) as well process automation through the Port Community System (PCS) which the NPA has propelled to conclusive stages in readiness for the plug-in of relevant stakeholders as the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project of the Federal Government gains momentum.
The Authority solicits the support of all Nigerians, particularly the media ,and frowns at the publication of stories without recourse to the ethical values of seeking the other party’s side of the story.
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