The Nation has learned that over the past 12 years, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has transferred more than N500 billion to the Federation Account. The money, according to what was learned, was transferred by the top maritime organization between 2011 and August 2022. The NPA is the department of the Federal Government in charge of providing port facilities.
Lease and vessel fees, cargo and shipping dues, preliminary bill and concession fees, pilotage and royalties are just a few of its costs. Mohammed Bello-Koko, the managing director of NPA, claimed that the agency has not raised its rate in the past 30 years despite the enormous amount it has remitted during the past 12 years.
“Though the cost of conducting business may be rising, it is not due to the tariff and rates of the NPA.
On port infrastructure, the NPA MD said the situation at Tin-Can Port is the worst even though every other port needs some high level of rehabilitation.
“Tin-Can Port is the one that is in the worst state, very terrible. We believe it is time to reconstruct and rehabilitate Tin-Can Port. There are some Quays at other ports too that need rehabilitation. Some Quays in Apapa, Warri, Calabar, Onne and virtually all the ports need rehabilitation. Our assessment showed that we need about $800m to rehabilitate all the ports,” he said.