The House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has assured stakeholders in the maritime industry of its readiness to collaborate with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola to address the delay in the renewal of port concession agreement.
This assurance was given when the committee paid oversight visit to Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of Sifax Group, at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari said the committee has the mandate of the House of Representatives to ensure that all the federal government’s concessioned assets are performing at an optimal level.
“This oversight visit is a key part of our committee’s statutory responsibility. We work with diverse government agencies and ministries to ensure that the assets of the government that have been concessioned are performing and delivering premium returns to the government as well as the investors. Our job also involves working to remove any obstacle that might be impeding the smooth running of the private investors in these assets,” Chidari said.
A statement issued by Sifax Group and made available to Maritime Bits quoting the legislator saying that the committee would be leveraging its excellent working relationship with Oyetola to resolve the contract renewal in the shortest possible time.
His words: “We understand what this contract renewal means to your business and I assure you that the government will not allow this to linger for too long. This current administration is desirous of providing the needed enabling environment for businesses to thrive to grow the country’s economy. We will work with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to address any issue on the concession renewal.”
While welcoming the delegation to the terminal, the Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr. John Jenkins appreciated the committee members for their visit, adding that the terminal operator and its parent company, Sifax Group have over the years contributed substantially to the growth of the economy through excellent service at the terminal and other allied businesses, employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians as well as countless corporate social support projects that have touched the lives of thousands of less privileged Nigerians across the country.
According to the statement, Jenkins said the renewal of the terminal’s concession agreement would allow the company to implement its development plan that would make the terminal one of the best port terminals globally.
Members of the committee were accompanied on the visit by officials of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
