The Chairman of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Public Assets, Uche Harris Annie-Okonkwo, has alleged that Intels Nigeria Limited owes the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) approximately $10 million.
Speaking at an investigative hearing on Monday, Annie-Okonkwo criticized the NPA management for failing to recover the debt, despite the company continuing its operations across five NPA facilities.
He further suggested that the agency’s inaction might be linked to allegations of collusion between NPA officials and concessionaires to divert funds meant for the federal government.
Annie-Okonkwo also said that another company, Starz Marine and Engineering Ltd is owing for about 3 years without collection, while there are claims that the company has been given a long term lease when nothing in place states such and no agreement to that effect.
The committee warned the management of the NPA against colluding with companies who are on public private partnership arrangement to divert government fund.
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He said while the investigation into the alleged abuses of leases and concessions is still ongoing, the committee deems it necessary to call for caution over revelation of diversion of fund and non-compliance with the terms of agreement.
He cited an instance of a company,
Truck Transit Limited still operating a manual operation even though their contract stipulates that the company construct an automatic system for truck parking and entrance to NPA terminals.
According to him, there is no indication NPA doing anything to carry out the contract as agreed, adding that for the country to move forward, the right thing must be done.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets headed by Hon. (Barr. Ademorin Kuye) has oversight responsibility on the use, management and disposal of all federal government assets within and outside the country, according to the lawmaker.
Hon. Uche Harris Annie-Okonkwo was appointed as the Chairman of the Subcommittee of Public Assets on NPA following the emergence of Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka as the Deputy Chief Whip of the House.