The House of Representatives' ad-hoc committee probing the performance of concessionaires at Nigeria's airports and seaports has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in the review process. Chairman Hon. Davidson Akinlayo stated the investigation aims to assess performance, determine value for money, and verify whether the objectives of the two-decade-old concession regime have been met. During a hearing at the National Assembly, Akinlayo emphasized the need for full cooperation from all stakeholders involved in terminal operations. He described the session as a pivotal moment in the committee's work, underscoring the importance of direct engagement with terminal operators. Representing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Executive Director Lukeman Olaruwanju presented data on infrastructure and equipment investments made by terminal operators since the concession began.
Davidson Akinlayo's probe into 20 years of terminal concessions arrives long after the deals were sealed and profits made. The review may clarify past investments, but it does little to alter the reality that Nigerians have been paying higher service costs without commensurate improvements. If the findings do not lead to enforceable performance benchmarks, the exercise becomes another audit of the obvious.
