Members of the House of Representatives have stepped into the tussle between the Nigerian Ports Authority and Intels. The assembly members have asked the agency to halt the termination of its pilotage agreement with Intels Ltd, pending its conclusion of investigations into the matter. The move was taken following the passage of a motion sponsored by Diri Duoye.
The move was however opposed by Rotimi Agunsoye, a lawmaker from Lagos, who was of the opinion that the matter was a legal one that should not concern the reps.
If they have any problem with government they should go to court. The motion should not come here,
Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara referred the matter to a committee that is expected to present its findings in two weeks.
Background to the suspension
Earlier this week, news broke that the MD of the NPA, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman was instructed to terminate the agreement in a letter written by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) dated September 27 2017. According to the AGF, the terms of the agreement which was signed 17 years ago was illegal violated Sections 80(1) and 162(1) and (10) of the constitution. Section 80(1) and 162 (1) says the all revenues earned by the Federation shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as well as the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
In its defence, Intels stated that it was being owed the sum of $674 million excluding interest and $109 million for additional work done. The NPA had proposed both parties open a joint account, in which all revenues would be paid. 30% of revenues were to go to the NPA, and the rest to reduce its debt to Intels. The Treasury Single Account (TSA) which was one of the reasons given for the termination of the agreement, did not exist as at the time it was signed.
