The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has justified the prolonged delay in renewing port concession agreements, insisting that the Federal Government is deliberately prioritising a robust legal framework to safeguard long-term investments and industry stability.
Speaking at a public function in Lagos, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho—represented by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemakara—said the ongoing review process is aimed at correcting structural flaws in existing agreements before any renewals are approved.
He noted that while terminal operators have raised concerns over the delays, rushing into poorly structured agreements would pose greater risks to both investors and the maritime sector.
According to him, “It is better to get it right than to rush into agreements that may be challenged later. A flawed agreement is far more damaging than a delayed one.”
Dantsoho emphasised that both the NPA and concessionaires have identified gaps, particularly around unmet obligations, which must be addressed to ensure transparency, accountability, and legal certainty.
He stressed that investor confidence is closely tied to the strength of the legal framework guiding port operations. “No serious investor commits resources where legal clarity is weak. What matters is not the speed of signing agreements, but the integrity and quality of those agreements,” he said.
The NPA boss expressed optimism that a thoroughly reviewed and strengthened concession regime would not only stabilise existing partnerships but also attract new investors, especially if current operators choose not to continue.
Several terminal operators have operated for years without full renewal of their concession agreements, relying instead on annual temporary approvals from the Federal Government to sustain operations
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2026-04-02
