NPA Denies Financial Misuse Allegations
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA has dismissed a multi-billion- naira financial misappropriation allegations levelled against it by some online news publications (not THECONSCIENCE NG), insisting there is no iota of truth in the allegations
The Authority assured that its budget and expenditure are subject to the strict supervision of the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation as well as a comprehensive oversight of the National Assembly, a development that makes the allegations impossible.
It also disclosed that the contract for dredging works at the Warri Escravos Channel, the hub of Nigeria’s oil and gas operations, became necessary due to the need to urgently tackle the increasing siltation of the channel that would bring about an international embarrassment and loss of huge investments if vessels run aground.
NPA also noted that the award of the contract followed laid down processes and procedure for emergency procurement as provided in the Procurement Act, 2007.
The Authority has also dismissed allegations concerning the expenditures at its London office, describing them as outright false, adding that there are no dealings or transactions of such nature as speculated in the report.
It therefore assured that the current management of the Authority led by Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has raised the bar in terms of workers’ welfare, having addressed all related issues of stagnation, thus boosting the morale of the entire workforce of the NPA, a development that has also been corroborated by the two labour unions.
On the allegation of revocation or otherwise of third-party contractual agreements, the Authority noted that they done in accordance with extant law as well as contractual agreements with all the concerned parties, which makes such allegations baseless.
According to a statement by the Authority: “The attention of the Nigerian Ports Authority has been drawn to spurious allegations of multi-billion-naira corruption purportedly going on in the Authority in some online publications.
“In line with its duty of probity to the general public, the Authority states without equivocation that these allegations are false and without any credibility. The management of the NPA wish to clarify all the issues raised as follows: The budget and expenditure of the NPA are subject to the strict supervision of the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation as well as the comprehensive oversight of the National Assembly and this makes the allegation 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. That 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.
“That 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 makes it impossible. That the allegations made in connection with expenditures at the Authority’s London office are outright false as there as dealings or transactions speculated in the report never took place.
“That the marked increase in revenue figures for 2024 were due to exchange rate gains, since the Authority’s funds are denominated in FOREX in line with global maritime best practice.
“That 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.
“That the revocation or otherwise of third-party contractual agreements of the Authority were in accordance with extant law as well as contractual agreements with all the concerned parties. That 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 Management of the Authority led by the current Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, therefore assured all stakeholders and the generality of Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to deepening the competitiveness of Nigeria’s seaports through infrastructure and equipment renewal, which has commenced as well as automation of port processes through the Port Community System PCS. The MD further assured that the NPA has propelled the PCS 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.
He further solicited the support and cooperation of all Nigerians, including the media in verifying information before publication, assuring that the Management of the Authority under his watch would continue to operate its open door policy.
