The House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Public Assets on Monday claimed that Intels Nigeria Limited owes the Nigerian Ports Authority about $10m.
The Chairman of the Committee, Uche Annie-Okonkwo, who disclosed this at an investigative hearing which was held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, criticised the NPA management for failing to recover the debt, despite the company continuing its operations across its NPA facilities.
He also argued that NPA’s inaction may not be unconnected with claims that some of its staff members were colluding with the concessionaires to divert funds accruing to the Federal Government.
“The amount Intels ought to pay NPA is approximately $10m,” the lawmaker stated, adding that another company, Starz Marine and Engineering Ltd., has not made appropriate remittances to NPA for about three years.
“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 the management of the NPA against colluding with companies who are on public-private partnership arrangements to divert government funds.
While noting that investigations into the alleged abuses of leases and concessions are ongoing, he said that the committee deemed it fit to call for caution given growing concerns over the alleged diversion of funds and non-compliance with the terms of the agreement.
“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) has oversight responsibility for the use, management and disposal of all Federal Government assets within and outside the country.
Mr Uche Annie-Okonkwo was appointed a few weeks ago as the Chairman of the Subcommittee of Public Assets on NPA following the emergence of Ibrahim Isiaka as the Deputy Chief Whip of the House.