Afrigather The Senate has summoned the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to elucidate the funds owed to the federal government by terminal operators totalling $1.85 billion and N1.87 billion.
On Tuesday, Ahmed Wadada, the Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, issued a stern ultimatum, demanding the NPA’s administration to seem earlier than the committee inside 48 hours or face authorized repercussions.
Wadada expressed disappointment within the NPA’s failure to reply to queries stemming from the 2019 audit report by the Auditor-Basic for the Federation, which highlighted the indebtedness of terminal operators.
“The NPA is discovered wanting on the Auditor-Basic for the Federation’s annual report and the end-of-status inquiry. There are points surrounding Lagos channel administration, Bonny channel administration, and Calabar channel administration. The committee has respectfully communicated with the NPA administration; some responses have been acquired, whereas others stay unanswered,” Wadada acknowledged.
Moreover, excellent delivery dues and repair boat charges, totalling over $68 million, are important points requiring clarification by the Senate Committee.
“The NPA is meant to have appeared earlier than this committee right this moment so we will take a look at the queries raised by the Workplace of the Auditor Basic for the Federation. The NPA isn’t right here. A few of these queries should do with the indebtedness of the terminal operators, which is sort of $1.85 billion, N1.87 billion”, the chairman mentioned.
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“The standing of lengthy excellent money owed is a matter to be answered by the NPA. This isn’t even to speak concerning the points surrounding Lagos, Bonny, and Calabar channel administration.
“On behalf of the committee, we’ll talk to the administration of the NPA to, throughout the subsequent 48 hours, seem earlier than the committee for Nigerians to know concerning the queries and points we have now gathered. In any other case, we’ll use all of the devices accessible to us by regulation to carry the administration of NPA to order as a result of no one is above the regulation”, Wadada added.
He additionally warned that no one could be allowed to disrespect and take the establishment of the Nationwide Meeting without any consideration.
