The National Association of Stevedore Operators (NASO) has dismissed reports suggesting that its members are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged non-payment of royalties to the government.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, NASO clarified that no individual or group, including stevedores, has the right to withhold government dues, taxes, or fees. He, however, admitted that a backlog of royalty payments to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) exists, but stressed that discussions to resolve the issue have been ongoing for the past two months.
According to Sunmola, the negotiations with the NPA would have been finalized but for a recent management retreat embarked upon by the Authority.
“We are agents of the NPA. When we are paid, we remit an agreed royalty to the NPA as stipulated in our terms of engagement. There are no disputes between us and the NPA on this matter,” Sunmola said.
He explained that the ongoing talks focus on categorizing the backlog into different payment classes such as Category A and B which will determine the order in which payments are made.
“We are almost at the conclusion of the talks. If not for NPA’s retreat, negotiations would have been completed, and payments commenced,” he added.
On the alleged EFCC probe, Sunmola described the Commission’s invitation as routine and not an indication of wrongdoing.
“The EFCC has the right to invite anyone. This is not the first time we’ve been invited. We went to Abuja, explained the processes through which we secured our jobs, and returned. NPA was also invited to do the same. There’s nothing unusual about it,” he explained.
