Transportation Minister Summoned by Reps, Threat of Concession Cancellations Looms

The House of Representatives committee investigating public-private partnership and concessions arrangement by the federal government has called upon the Minister of Transportation, Said Umar Alkali, and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Railway Corporation along with other pertinent organizations to attend the upcoming session.

The committee has also warned that all leases and concessions agreements under the Federal Ministry of Transport may be revoked.

Ademorin Kuye, the chairman of the committee, who represents APC from Lagos, made the announcement in Abuja, emphasizing that the PPP and Concessions agreement of Nigeria Railway Corporation and the Railway Property Management Company Limited did not adhere to the existing laws of the country.

Read Also: NEDC honors MD Alkali with leadership award

Kuye, who leads the House Committee on Public Assets, expressed his concerns during a meeting with a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Transport, led by the Permanent Secretary, Pius Oteh.

The Permanent Secretary informed the committee that the ministry holds more than 170 leases but was unable to furnish the necessary documents to verify their compliance with the laws.

Kuye reiterated that the committee will not hesitate to enforce constitutional provisions if any organization fails to comply with their summons.

He stated, “We can issue an arrest warrant and instruct the relevant security agencies to bring such individuals here.”

The committee highlighted the ongoing mismanagement of government assets through public-private partnerships and concessions, signaling a need for stricter oversight and compliance with the laws.