The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has dismissed latest allegations of monetary wrongdoing, calling them false and intentionally deceptive.
In an announcement launched on Sunday, Could 11, the company’s Common Supervisor of Company and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, described the accusations circulating in some media shops as missing any advantage.
“The NPA’s budgetary course of and {financial} operations are topic to thorough scrutiny by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economic system, the Funds Workplace of the Federation, and the Nationwide Meeting,” Onyemekara said.
“The claims circulating in some on-line platforms are baseless and don’t replicate the realities of our operations.”
He defined that dredging actions on the Warri Escravos Channel have been carried out underneath emergency procurement procedures permitted by the Procurement Act of 2007.
Onyemekara additionally famous that the urgency was on account of deteriorating maritime situations threatening oil and fuel logistics within the space.
On the difficulty of marine craft acquisition, Onyemekara mentioned all procedures adopted authorized tips and have been pushed by the pressing want to guard nationwide power pursuits, particularly offshore oil exports.
He additionally addressed stories that the NPA had withheld contract and expenditure paperwork for over a yr. “That declare is untenable,” he mentioned, arguing that civil service protocols on documentation are clearly outlined and have been adopted.
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Concerning suspicions in regards to the company’s London workplace, Onyemekara dismissed the claims as fully fabricated. “There isn’t any report of any such actions. These are fabricated tales missing any factual foundation,” he mentioned.
Onyemekara additional defined that the company’s 2024 income increase was largely the results of overseas alternate features, noting that port charges are set in foreign currency and tied to worldwide benchmarks.
He added that the cancellation of some third-party contracts had been lawfully executed consistent with authorized obligations.
Addressing inside promotions, he confirmed that numerous workers have been elevated to Common Supervisor roles to resolve longstanding stagnation points associated to age.
“Employees morale is excessive,” he added, “and our workers have proven renewed motivation following the profitable completion of the 2024 promotion examinations and the decision of backlog promotion points.”
He additionally highlighted ongoing reforms on the company, asserting that the NPA had secured Federal Govt Council approval for its Port Modernisation Programme, geared toward enhancing port infrastructure and aligning operations with international requirements.
In line with him, the Port Neighborhood System, a brand new digital operations platform, is close to completion and can quickly be built-in with the Federal Authorities’s Nationwide Single Window initiative, designed to streamline commerce and enhance effectivity.
Onyemekara concluded by urging media shops to confirm their stories earlier than publishing. “The Authority stays open to constructive dialogue and clear engagement.
“Our dedication to modernising Nigeria’s ports and fostering nationwide {economic} development is unwavering,” he mentioned.
