AGF Queries NPA Over Debt Of $753m, N1.61bn From 18 Terminal Operators

Nigerian Ports Authority has been queried by the office of the Auditor General for the Federation, over the inability of 18 port terminal operators to pay the Federal Government a total of $753 million and N1.61 billion.

Naija News reports that the operators include, the Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port, Delta Port, Rivers Port Complex, Onne Port Complex and Calabar Port Complex.

A query issued by the AGF office and included in its report being reviewed by the Committees on Public Accounts in the National Assembly, said the amounts were part of the debts owed since 31 December 2019.

The query further stated that the agreements signed between NPA and various Terminal Operators state that a fixed annual payment of sum is meant to be paid in (12) equal instalments in each operating year.

The first instalment to be paid on the first day of the month after the effective date and then, on the same date of every month thereafter.

However, the NPA management in its statement to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, claimed that the operators’ initial debt to the government was $852.093 million and N1.878 billion

The NPA stated in its presentation to the committee that out of the amount, $753m and N1.609bn had not been paid by the operators.

According to PUNCH, the operators and their debt profile to include APM Terminal, Apapa ($562.060 million), Apapa Bulk Terminal ($4,621.20), ENL Consortium ($957,020.77), Greenview Development ($20,750,443.65) and Standard Flour Mills ($893.77).

Others are Intels Nigeria Limited, operators of Terminal A at the Delta Ports Complex ($2,429,382.80); Intels Nigeria Limited, operators of Terminal B of the Delta Ports Complex ($4,589,576.75); Associated Maritime Services ($328,027.64), and Greenleigh Ports Nigeria Limited ($1,734,492.41).

The rest are BUA Ports and Terminal Limited ($12,254,424.55), Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited ($107,311,506.46), Brawal Shipping Nigeria Limited ($226,541.72), Intels Nigeria Limited at Onne Port Complex ($430,404.81), Intels Nigeria Limited also at Onne Port ($670,954.72), Intels Nigeria Limited also at the Onne Port ($1,928,250.44), Shoreline Logistics ($1,181,023.57).