The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) says it has the authority to privatise or concession any part of the Nigerian ports.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Bureau’s Head, Public Communications, Alex Okoh, on Monday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the clarification becomes necessary based on the petition against the concession of old Warri Port Terminal ‘B’ by a group, NPA Warri Port Stakeholders Forum.
“The petitioners alleged that BPE is working with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) and office of the Vice President to concession the terminal to “their cronies”.
“They further allege that the BPE’s action is illegal as they are usurping the powers and functions of ICRC, ” the statement said.
The group urged the presidency to stop the BPE or else the petitioners would take up the matter with the incoming administration or resort to legal action, it said.
“However, we wish to further clarify that NPA is listed in the BPE Act of 1999 as amended and therefore NCP/BPE has the full powers to handle and conclude the transaction,” it stated.
BPE had in July 2014, placed adverts in some selected dailies requesting for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Concession of old Warri Port Terminal ‘B’.
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