By Aisha Cole

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has denied allegations of corruption, insisting that misapplication of budgetary provisions is impossible under its strict regulatory framework.

NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said this in Lagos.

Onyemekara stated that the Authority’s budget and spending undergo close monitoring by the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, the Budget Office, and the National Assembly.

He explained that dredging at the Warri Escravos Channel was necessary due to worsening conditions threatening maritime navigation and national oil and gas operations.

The dredging contract followed the emergency procurement procedure in the Procurement Act 2007, countering claims made in some online reports.

Onyemekara said online publications alleging multi-billion-naira corruption within the Authority were false and baseless.

He affirmed that the NPA operates transparently, with financial activities fully supervised by federal bodies, making misapplication of funds implausible.

“The marine craft procurement process was lawfully executed in response to urgent national energy security needs, involving offshore operations to support domestic crude oil sales,” he said.

He described claims of withholding documents for over a year as untenable, citing civil service rules on processing timelines.

Allegations about transactions at NPA’s London Office were also dismissed, with Onyemekara confirming no such activities ever took place.

He attributed increased 2024 revenues to foreign exchange gains, since port charges are internationally benchmarked in foreign currency.

Onyemekara clarified that revocations of third-party contracts were conducted within legal frameworks and honouring existing agreements.

According to him, staff promotions, including new General Manager appointments, addressed age-related stagnation and followed proper internal procedures.

He said staff morale is high, backed by in-house union commendations for resolving long-standing promotion issues and conducting 2024 promotion exams.

“To boost competitiveness and cargo throughput, the Authority secured Federal Executive Council approval for the Port Modernisation Programme,” he said.

He urged media outlets to verify reports directly with the Authority, which, according to him, remains open to constructive dialogue.

He said, “The Abubakar Dantsoho-led management reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Nigerian ports through infrastructure and equipment upgrades.”

Onyemekara noted that the Port Community System is nearing completion, supporting the rollout of the Federal Government’s National Single Window Project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)