TheCable

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has welcomed the decision of the senate to look into the activities of its joint venture enterprises.

The upper chamber of the national assembly has mandated its committee on marine transport to probe the amount spent on dredging of Lagos, Bonny and Calabar water channels.

This followed a motion moved by Ovie Omo-Agege, a senator from Delta state.

In the motion, Omo-Agege said despite being joint venture contracts, NPA was still spending more on the dredging projects.

In a statement signed by I. S. Nasiru, a principal manager, public affairs at the authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, managing director of the NPA, said the agency had nothing to hide.

She explained that on assumption of duty, her administration identified the challenges at the authority and took “immediate steps” to address them.

The statement explained that as part of the processes for the dredging contracts, an advertisement for expressions of interest for “Consultancy Services for Dredging and Channel Design Optimisation Studies” was placed in newspapers in October 2016 (Public Notice No 3957).

This, according to the statement, was an international competitive bidding.

She explained that at the moment, three companies have been pre-qualified for the assignment with a request for proposals (RFP) already issued towards the conclusion of the process for the award of contracts.

The statement added that the studies, when completed, would provide accurate information on the depth and siltation levels of the channels and ultimately, guide the NPA on its next line of immediate and future actions on the channels.

“The studies will additionally provide: a comprehensive review of the dredging practices currently adopted for the management of Bonny/Port Harcourt channel, the Calabar channel and Lagos channel and to recommend ways in which these could be optimised with a view to enhancing dredging efficiency,” the statement read.

“A comprehensive review of the existing channel layout and recommendations on how the layouts can be optimised for current and projected vessel traffic in each of the pilotage districts.

“As part of the optimisation studies, it is recognised that the consultant will undertake further in-depth studies on hydrodynamic modelling, sedimentation modelling, navigation simulation studies and navigational risk assessments amongst others.”

The statement said NPA discovered that the cost of dredging of the channels had increased on a yearly basis in the past and that the study would provide guidance on specific measures to take to save cost.

The agency assured stakeholders of its readiness to collaborate with other agencies of government to ensure transparency in the execution of government business and work in the best interest of Nigeria always.