By ERIC JAMES OCHIGNO

Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate and appraise the performance of concessionaires operating federal airport and seaport terminals, and related shipping activities between 2006 and 2025.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ad hoc committee on Tuesday, Tajudeen said the exercise was rooted in the House’s constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight and safeguard national interest.

Represented by Rep. Loari Kwamoti (PDP-Adamawa), the speaker explained that the decision to concession Nigeria’s airports and seaports was aimed at improving efficiency, attracting private sector investments and modernising infrastructure.

He also said that it was to enhance service delivery and boost government revenue.

“Nearly two decades after the commencement of these concession arrangements, it is both timely and imperative for the legislature, as representatives of the Nigerian people, to undertake a comprehensive review of their outcomes.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this exercise is not an attempt to undermine legitimate private sector participation, it is rather an expression of the House’s constitutional mandate to conduct oversight, ensure accountability and safeguard national interest.

“Nigerians deserve to know whether these concessions have delivered value for money, complied with contractual obligations, enhanced national competitiveness, protected public assets and contributed meaningfully to economic growth, employment and revenue generation,” he said.

According to him, the scope of the committee covers an examination of the terms and conditions of concession agreements entered into from 2006 to 2025.

Part of the committee’s mandate, he said, was also to carry out an assessment of revenue flows, remittances and other financial benefits accruing to the Federal Government and its agencies.

The speaker further stated that the committee was expected to carry out a review of compliance with contractual, regulatory and safety obligations by the concessionaires and an appraisal of infrastructure development, operational efficiency, service quality and labour issues;

Another term of reference, he said, was identification of challenges, gaps and systemic weaknesses within the concession framework and he formulation of clear, practicable recommendations to improve policy, legislation and future concession arrangements.

Tajudeen expressed the House’s enormous confidence in the integrity, competence and sense of patriotism in the committee.

He urged the members to carry out the assignment with objectivity, professionalism and transparency, guided solely by facts, documents and the overriding national interest.

The speaker said that the committee’s work must reflect fairness to all stakeholders, while remaining firm in the defence of public assets and public trust.

In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Akinlayo Kolawole, said the committee understood the weight of the responsibility before it.

Akinlayo said that the committee was determined to leave behind a legacy of stronger infrastructure, good governance, improved service delivery, enhanced investor discipline and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s concession programmes.

He called on members of the committee and all stakeholders to approach the mandate with the highest sense of duty, professionalism and commitment to national interest.

“I am confident that through rigorous oversight, robust evidence-based analysis and constructive engagement, this committee will deliver recommendations that will strengthen the efficiency, transparency and economic impact of Nigeria’s port and terminal operations for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said. (NAN)