SAN FRANCISCO, November 07, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives Thursday mandated its joint committees on Privatisation and Commercialisation, public procurement, commerce, marine transport and customs to investigate operational activities of concessionaires at Nigerian ports.
The resolution was the outcome of a motion moved by Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (PDP, Imo) which was adopted without debate.
In his lead debate on the motion, Alagbaoso disclosed that the concessioning of Nigerian seaports through the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), and handing over of the certificates of operations to the concessionaires was carried out in 2006.
He explained that the concessioning programme was aimed at ensuring trade facilitation and greater efficiency in cargo handling and service delivery at the ports.
The legislator expressed dismay over the incessant infrastructural decay, poor service delivery and arbitrary charges in the name of demurrage.
He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, saddled with the responsibility of trade facilitation and collection of duties on imported goods, is faced with operational and infrastructural challenges caused by the concessionaires.
“The unsatisfactory performances of concessionaires or terminal operators at Nigerian seaports unnecessarily increased the cost of clearing goods,” he said.
Meanwhile, the House has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the name of late Olusegun Agagu for his contributions to the power sector and Nigeria in general.
This resolution followed a motion moved by chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources, Hon. Muraina Ajibola ( PDP-Oyo), and four other members which was unanimously adopted.
According to Ajibola, the late Agagu established countless projects in Ondo State and contributed to the growth of the aviation sector.
“Considering the numerous achievements and contributions to the development of Ondo State and Nigeria, the late Agagu deserves to be immortalised,” he said.
Saint Mugaga, Abuja
About the Author
