Despite the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) spirited rebuttal of corruption allegations concerning multi-billion-naira dredging and procurement contracts, new revelations and documented inconsistencies have raised more questions than answers, particularly regarding the controversial emergency dredging contract of the Warri Escravos Channel.
In a statement released Sunday, the NPA described the corruption allegations published by some media platforms as “spurious,” claiming all contracts and financial dealings were executed in full compliance with the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and under the supervision of relevant federal authorities. However, a careful review of official documents and testimonies from internal sources suggests a more complex narrative.
A Contract That Demands Clarity
News Direct has reviewed a document titled “NPA-BCC Contract for Emergency Dredging of Escravos Channel Delta Post Warri,” which outlines key contractual elements. The contract, dated 2024, was awarded to a marine engineering company named Bel Marin Company Limited for ₦8.5 billion for “emergency dredging.” However, this was reportedly done under a restricted procurement process, raising serious red flags.
According to a senior NPA official who spoke under condition of anonymity, “The Escravos Channel had been silted for over a year. That situation hardly qualifies for emergency procurement anymore. Why was there a sudden urgency only after budget approval?”
Even more concerning is the suggestion that the contract was awarded without a comprehensive in-house survey or a Quantity Survey Report (QSR) determining the actual volume of sand to be dredged.
“The emergency clause was a smokescreen. There was no hydrographic survey or verified estimate before the award. That’s against the PPA,” another source alleged.
Budgetary and Procedural Irregularities
The NPA claimed the contract went through all statutory channels, but multiple insiders within the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office questioned whether a supplementary budget or ministerial memo was approved to cover the project cost.
“Was this project included in the national budget or a supplementary appropriation? If yes, show us the approval from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning,” [/b]asked one procurement expert familiar with port operations.
Furthermore, there’s no clear record of a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting approving the contract, a key requirement for capital-intensive emergency procurements above a certain threshold.
[b]“What we see is a circumvention of due process using the guise of urgency. If the channel was in dire need of dredging for over a year, then it should have gone through open competitive bidding as the Procurement Act stipulates,” the expert added.
Internal Delays and Allegations of Sabotage
The NPA has also denied allegations of document hoarding by its Executive Director of Finance, claiming such a delay is “implausible.”
However, News Direct has learned that several payment-related documents duly signed by the Managing Director were not treated promptly by the Finance Directorate, leading to months-long delays for contractors.
One contractor, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the delay, he said: “Our invoice has been awaiting processing since January 2024, despite being cleared by the technical evaluation team. The ED Finance just sat on it.”
This has triggered further concerns about internal sabotage, bureaucratic inertia, or deliberate obstruction for political reasons.
Staff Morale and Promotion Politics
In its rebuttal, the NPA claimed that morale among staff is high, citing recent promotions and the resolution of stagnation issues. However, union insiders paint a more nuanced picture.
“Promotions were given, yes, but not all based on merit. Some were politically influenced. People are still grumbling,” said a senior union official.
Revenue Windfall or Exchange Rate Gamble?
The NPA credited its improved revenue performance in 2024 to exchange rate gains, asserting that most port fees are denominated in dollars. While this is factually accurate, financial analysts warn that such performance may be artificial.
“The weak naira gives the illusion of increased revenue in naira terms, but operational efficiency hasn’t changed much. It’s a windfall, not a result of structural reforms,” maritime economist Abidemi Hamzat wrote on Facebook.
The Call for Transparency
While the NPA insists that its operations remain under “strict oversight” by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the National Assembly, civil society organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the entire Escravos dredging contract and other major expenditures.
“There must be full transparency. Let them publish the in-house estimates, the survey data, the contract evaluation report, and payment timelines. These are public documents,” said Osaze Samuel, National Coordinator of Movement of Democracy.
Conclusion
As allegations swirl and stakeholders push for clarity, the NPA must move beyond blanket denials. The agency’s credibility depends not on press statements, but on hard evidence of compliance, transparency, and accountability.
Until then, the Escravos emergency dredging contract remains a troubling case study of how not to run public procurement in Nigeria.
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