By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives in Tuesday inaugurated an Ad-Hoc Committee to review the performance of concessionaires managing federal ports, airport terminals, and related shipping activities from 2006 to 2025.
The review aims to determine whether concession arrangements have delivered value for money, improved service standards, and enhanced government revenue over the 19-year period.
At the inauguration, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Loari Kwamoti, explained that the initiative is a constitutional responsibility intended to strengthen accountability and protect national assets.
He noted that the assessment is expected to give Nigerians a clear picture of how concessionaires have managed strategic transport infrastructure and whether national interests have been adequately served.
He also clarified that the exercise is not designed to discourage private sector participation but to provide an accurate evaluation of outcomes and highlight areas requiring reform.
In a separate address, the Chairman of the Committee, Akinlayo Kolawole, outlined the scope of the assignment.
He stated that the panel will examine concession agreements, review revenue flows and remittances to the federal government, assess compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations, and evaluate the quality of infrastructure and service delivery.
The Committee will also consider labour-related issues and identify operational gaps or systemic weaknesses in existing concession frameworks.
He added that the Committee intends to carry out its work with professionalism, objectivity, and transparency, with the aim of producing recommendations that will strengthen governance, improve policy direction, and support future concession decisions across the country’s port and airport systems.
