NPA denies corruption allegations, says no misconduct in budget, procurement

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has dismissed allegations of multi-billion-naira corruption making the rounds on some online platforms.

The authority insisted that all its procurement and financial activities are conducted in line with the law.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the authority described the reports as “spurious” and “without any credibility,” stressing that its operations are under strict oversight by the federal government.

“The budget and expenditure of the NPA are subject to the strict supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation, as well as the comprehensive oversight of the National Assembly,” the statement reads.

“This makes the allegation of misapplication of budgetary provisions impossible.”

The allegations, according to the reports, centre on contracts for dredging, procurement of marine equipment, staff promotions, operations at the authority’s London office, and revenue figures, among others.

But the NPA said each of the claims either misrepresented facts or ignored the statutory checks already in place.

The authority clarified that the dredging of the Warri Escravos Channel followed “laid down processes and procedures for emergency procurement as laid down in the Procurement Act, 2007”.

It explained that the dredging was necessary to tackle the increasing siltation of the channel and forestall international embarrassment and huge investment losses from shipping vessels running aground.

On the acquisition of marine crafts such as tugboats and pilot cutters, the NPA said it acted in response to the urgency of safeguarding national energy security.

“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 agency stated.

“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.”

“LONDON OFFICE CLAIMS OUTRIGHTLY FALSE”

Responding to claims that the authority had withheld official documents for over a year, the agency said such delays were implausible.

“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,” the statement reads.

“Allegations made in connection with expenditures at the Authority’s London office are outrightly false as there as dealings or transactions speculated in the report never took place.”

Regarding staff welfare, the NPA said it has taken steps to address employee concerns, including stagnation.

“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,” it noted.

“Management followed due process as prescribed in the Authority’s duly approved conditions of service.

“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.”

Also, the NPA explained that the significant growth in revenue recorded in 2024 was due to exchange rate gains, since most of its earnings are denominated in foreign exchange.

On contract issues, it said all third-party agreements were handled according to existing laws and agreements.

Looking ahead, the authority said it remains committed to deepening the competitiveness of Nigerian ports, and highlighted the recent federal executive council (FEC) approval of its port modernisation programme.