The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has dismissed recent allegations of financial wrongdoing, calling them false and deliberately misleading.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 11, the agency’s General Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, described the accusations circulating in some media outlets as lacking any merit.
“The NPA’s budgetary process and financial operations are subject to thorough scrutiny by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the National Assembly,” Onyemekara stated.
“The claims circulating in some online platforms are baseless and do not reflect the realities of our operations.”
He explained that dredging activities at the Warri Escravos Channel were carried out under emergency procurement procedures permitted by the Procurement Act of 2007.
Onyemekara also noted that the urgency was due to deteriorating maritime conditions threatening oil and gas logistics in the area.
On the issue of marine craft acquisition, Onyemekara said all procedures followed legal guidelines and were driven by the urgent need to protect national energy interests, especially offshore oil exports.
He also addressed reports that the NPA had withheld contract and expenditure documents for over a year. “That claim is untenable,” he said, arguing that civil service protocols on documentation are clearly defined and were followed.
READ ALSO: NPA Confirms No Casualties in Apapa Port Fire Incident
Regarding suspicions about the agency’s London office, Onyemekara dismissed the claims as entirely fabricated. “There is no record of any such activities. These are fabricated stories lacking any factual basis,” he said.
Onyemekara further explained that the agency’s 2024 revenue boost was largely the result of foreign exchange gains, noting that port fees are set in foreign currencies and tied to international benchmarks.
He added that the cancellation of some third-party contracts had been lawfully executed in line with legal obligations.
Addressing internal promotions, he confirmed that a number of staff were elevated to General Manager roles to resolve longstanding stagnation issues related to age.
“Staff morale is high,” he added, “and our employees have shown renewed motivation following the successful completion of the 2024 promotion examinations and the resolution of backlog promotion issues.”
He also highlighted ongoing reforms at the agency, announcing that the NPA had secured Federal Executive Council approval for its Port Modernisation Programme, aimed at improving port infrastructure and aligning operations with global standards.
According to him, the Port Community System, a new digital operations platform, is near completion and will soon be integrated with the Federal Government’s National Single Window initiative, designed to streamline trade and improve efficiency.
Onyemekara concluded by urging media outlets to verify their reports before publishing. “The Authority remains open to constructive dialogue and transparent engagement.
“Our commitment to modernising Nigeria’s ports and fostering national economic growth is unwavering,” he said.