NPA’s cargo survey contractors raise alarm over delay in payment of fees

Contractors handling various cargo survey projects have been grumbling over the non-payment of their contract fees.

The contractors, who were duly engaged after a competitive bidding process by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2024 and met their contractual obligations, wondered why the authority, under the supervision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, keeps delaying their payments.

It was gathered that despite multiple appeals to Mr Oyetola and the leadership of the NPA, the organisation had continued to default on payments to the contractors.

Insider sources said the delayed payments have raised serious concerns about the federal government’s nonchalant attitude in meeting its contractual obligations.

One of the contractors lamented that most firms had spent billions of naira in executing the contracts but had yet to receive payment for their services to the nation.

The source claimed that many of these companies have made significant capital investments in infrastructure and equipment.

The source stated, “We have submitted invoices covering vessels and their quantities to respective port managers for certification of work done in accordance with contract specifications. Invoices are processed and sent to the NPA headquarters in Marina, Lagos, for payment.”

The source added, “Since June 2024, invoices for the covered period have been withheld, despite the completion of the required services. All invoices forwarded to Marina by the port managers, after due checks by responsible departments, have been accepted and documented on the MD’s table. Subsequent invoices have also been received but remain pending approval for payment.”

The source, therefore, appealed to Mr Oyetola and the management of the NPA to settle all outstanding payments, arguing that the delays are damaging the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

But when contacted for comment, an associate of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, said his principal wasn’t an impediment to the delayed payments of contractors.

He said Mr Oyetola had, in recent times, led the management of the NPA to a meeting with the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation with a view to getting all contractors paid.

“The minister has no role in the day-to-day activities of the NPA. I can confirm to you that the minister had recently led the MD of NPA to the Minister of Finance over the non-payments of contractors generally.

“The man who is making such efforts can’t be said to be an impediment to any contractor.

“Probably, the non-payment may be as a result of the non-release of funds from the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s office.”

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