News
Audit Query: Reps Committee probes NPA for ignoring audit queries, non-remittance of multi-million dollars revenue
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has commenced an investigation into the multi-million dollars debt owed the federal government by terminal operators and the failure by the Nigeria Port Authority to account for billions of naira accruing into the national treasury.
The Committee being chaired by Rep. Wole Oke asking the Management of the Nigeria Ports Authority to explain why such a huge amount of money owed the Federal government by terminal operators has not been recovered and paid into the federal treasury.
The investigation is the sequel to 12 audit queries from the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the financial statement of the NPA for the 2019 financial year.
However, the NPA Management had only responded to one of the 12 queries from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation on the indebtedness of terminal operators to the government to the tune of 852.094 million dollars and N1.897 billion.
The NPA said the sum of N269.410 million of the N1.8 billion has been recovered while the balance of N1.6 billion “invoices processed on the encumbered areas remain unpaid.”
According to the NPA, “the sum of $504,663,452.37 is volume change on fix lease fee payment by APMT arising from clauses in the concession agreement between NPA and APMT out of the total sum of $852,093,730.77.
“Bills raised on encumbered areas which remained unpaid is $19,169,459.00. The following has been paid-GMT-$54,707,700.08, unpaid penalties- $11,922,642.68 and unpaid VAT-$28,693,707.07.”
It said further that “$92,533,518.72 has been recovered leaving unpaid lease and Throughout fee in the sum of $139,970,637.71 (made up of $113,982,486.82 and $5,988,150.89) respectively.
However, not satisfied with the explanation on the issue, the Committee directed the NPA Management to come and reconcile their position with that of that Auditor-General for the Federation and provide evidence of remitting the recovered N269.51 million and $92.534 million to the treasury.
The NPA is also to furnish the House with a contract agreement/Service Level Agreement, the list of all terminal operators as well as a comprehensive schedule of lease fees, Throughout fees and GMT that makes up the total amount being owed to the government by the operators.
The Committee is to invite the defaulting terminal operators to come and justify their reason for not paying the fixed lease fee, Throughput fee and GMT, while the NPA is also to provide details of community-related issues that hindered concessionaires from accessing the encumbered areas.
One of the terminal operators, APMT said to be owning the government a whopping $504663 million dollars is also to appear before the committee, while the NPA is to disclose efforts being made to recover the money and list of consultants engaged to assist in the debt recovery.
On the outstanding estate rent, shipping due and service boat of N32,266,183,590.8 billion and $67,425,429.88, they asked the NPA to provide comprehensive lists/details/schedules of debtors who are owing legacy debts to the tune of 7,293,403,552.55, stating the outstanding debt against each of the defaulters.
The committee also directed the “the NPA to avail us a comprehensive lists /details/schedule of debtors who are owing 17,687,440,469.16 being shipping and service boat due. The Recovered amount and the outstanding debt must be stated against the name of each debtor.
The committee is also demanding that “NPA to avail us a comprehensive lists /details/schedule of debtors who are owing $27,977,479.97 being shipping and service boat due. The recovered amount and outstanding debt must be stated against the name of each debtor.
“NPA to avail evidence of remittance of the recovered amount totalling $6,647,297.72 to government coffers. NPA to provide a schedule of debts with 0-3 years’ age and a list of in-house committees responsible for the recovery.
The committee is also demanding the current status of the underlisted legacy debts. Evidence of remittances of part of the debts to government coffer if any is required.
A popular businesswoman with strong interest in oil and gas, Aisha Achimugu has denied being investigated or arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, describing rumours milling around as baseless.
Her media aide, David Abakpa refuted the claim on Friday, saying his principal Dr. Aisha Achimugu, who serves as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FELAK Concept Group, is not under investigation by the EFCC.
Abakpa described the rumour of arrest as unfounded and misleading, insisting that Dr. Achimugu who is a businesswoman has no issues with the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency, demanding that elements behind the falsehood should provide evidence.
According to Abakpa, the EFCC is a professional agency that does not act on social media speculations before conducting its investigations.
He criticized what he described as a “sponsored media campaign” aimed at tarnishing Dr. Achimugu’s reputation, asserting that such claims hold no merit.
“It is unfortunate that certain unverified online platforms are being used to spread falsehoods against a patriotic Nigerian and global icon, Dr. Aisha Achimugu, who has been earning international recognition for Nigeria,” the statement read.
He further pointed out that the EFCC does not disclose arrest plans prematurely, making it suspicious that anonymous sources allegedly linked to the agency would leak such information to an online media outlet.
Abakpa also noted that no one under an EFCC watchlist could leave the country without being intercepted at the airport, rendering the claim that Dr. Achimugu fled to evade arrest baseless.
“The media campaign against her is empty and has already failed. Falsehood can never prevail over truth. The sponsors of this fake news lack the coordination to tarnish the image of an award-winning entrepreneur,” he added.
Highlighting her national recognition, Abakpa emphasized that Dr. Achimugu’s OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic) honor is a testament to her contributions to Nigeria’s economy through legitimate business ventures.
“Dr. Aisha Achimugu is a hardworking businesswoman who constantly travels across the globe for business engagements. The claim that she left the country to escape arrest is laughable,” he concluded.
Abuja currently is agoged as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome holds a 3-day mega crusade in Abuja, the Zonal Pastor of Christ Embassy Abuja Zone 1 and the Chairman, Steering Committee, Pastor Dipo Fisho, yesterday, disclosed that the crusade is basically to spread the love of Christ and save the souls of the people.
According to Fisho, the crusade holds from Friday March 21st-Sunday March 23rd 2025 at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, with the theme ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’.
He said: “The Word of God in Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.” What a profound and deeply stirring exhortation! When meditated upon, this passage can illuminate your heart and open your mind to divine epiphanies by the Spirit of God. Glory to His Name!
“The Lord Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, declared the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind,”* followed by this: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”Brotherly love, therefore, isn’t merely a suggestion—it is a divine mandate! Hallelujah!
“We are utilizing every medium available—social media, billboards, television, radio, and more—to share this divine invitation. Thousands of brethren across Abuja and its environs well branded and kitted are reaching out daily, spreading the Good News, distributing flyers, and inviting everyone to this life-changing program. Yes, ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’ will take place from the 21st to the 23rd of March, 2025, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, starting at 3 PM daily. Hallelujah!
“To love God is to serve Him and to honor Him with our lives, walking in obedience to His divine instructions. When we follow His Word, our faith is expressed, and therein lies our success. This is the very heartbeat of ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’. For decades, I have had the privilege of pastoring and mentoring countless souls, and I can tell you this: the love of God is the very crux of the Gospel. His love compels us to speak with wisdom, to react with grace, and to stand boldly for the truth. Hallelujah!
“As Christians, we are custodians of the Gospel of Christ. This sacred message is not ours to keep hidden; we are commissioned to take it to the ends of the earth. Matthew 28:19-20 the Master charges us to go into all the world and preach the Good News to every creature. This is our divine calling! For ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’, the Holy Spirit has directed us to bring this message of salvation and divine life to the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. Praise the Lord!
“Regardless of your background—whether you are a Free Thinker, Muslim, Animist, Buddhist, or Occultist—this message is for YOU! The love of God knows no boundaries, and His salvation is available to all who will receive it. We invite you to join us for this extraordinary 3-day event that will transform your life forever. Glory to God!
“This effort is a demonstration of brotherly love. We are so full of the joy, beauty, and reality of God’s amazing grace that we must share it with everyone! Love compels us to act, to give, and to bring others into the fullness of God’s blessings in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord! This is why we are sparing no expense—because some things are worth far more than money. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, and now it is our time to shine His light to the world.
“Beloved, the love of God has brought immense success into my life, and I am passionate about seeing you live victoriously in Christ Jesus. This is why my brethren and I from all Christ Embassy Churches and LoveWorld Fellowships across Abuja extend this heartfelt invitation to you. Come and experience the power of God for yourself!”
Thousands have been stranded at Heathrow in the United Kingdom as fire guts electrical substation that supply electricity to the airport.
The international flights has been disrupted in the early hours of Friday with a yet to be released option as at the time of the press.
Authority said, Heathrow Airport will be closed all day Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power
The fire is still burning, London Fire Brigade says, with no power at Terminal 2 and 4 as well as 5,000 homes nearby. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, warns of days of disruption – more than 1,350 flights are thought to be affected today.
The implications will stretch far wider than Heathrow, and could impact flights much further afield,
Edited by Jenna Moon and Barbara Tasch, with Charlotte Gallagher reporting from Heathrow
Smith goes on to say that 29 people from neighbouring properties were evacuated over the fire, adding around 150 people in total were evacuated to a rest centre.
He says the fire brigade will continue to have a presence in the area throughout the day.
Fire safety and fire investigation officers are working with the Met Police to establish the nature of the fire, he adds.
There remains no power at Terminal 2 or Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport, Smith says.
We’re now hearing from the London Fire Brigade, as deputy commissioner Jonathan Smith addresses reporters with an update on the fire at the electricity substation near Heathrow Airport.
The fire involved a transformer comprising 25,000 litres of cooling oil that was fully alight. 10% is still alight, he says.
Met Police declared it a major incident, he adds, saying that firefighters worked under challenging conditions.
Press watch live above to follow along. We’ll bring you more updates shortly.
BBC/CAPITAL POST NIGERIA
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