The National Association of Stevedore Operators (NASO) said discussions have been ongoing in the past two months to resolve the backlog of royalty payments owed to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

NASO, in a statement signed by its President, Bolaji Sunmola, debunked reports that stated stevedores are being hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged non-payment of royalties owed to the government. NASO said no individual or group, including stevedores, has the right to withhold government dues, taxes or fees.

According to Sunmola, negotiations with the NPA would have been concluded by now if not for a management retreat embarked upon by the Authority. He emphasised that stevedores operate as agents of the NPA and that when payments are received for services rendered, a portion is remitted as royalties in accordance with established guidelines.

“When we are paid, we remit an agreed royalty to the NPA as and when due, as stipulated in the terms of our engagement. There are no disputes between us and the NPA regarding this,” Sunmola said.

He explained that the ongoing discussions revolve around categorising the backlog into different payment classes such as Category ‘A’ or ‘B’, which will determine the sequence of payments.

“We are nearly at the end of these talks. If not for NPA’s retreat, the negotiations would have been concluded, and payments commenced,” he noted.
Addressing reports of EFCC involvement, Sunmola clarified that the Commission’s invitation was routine and not indicative 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 and did the same. There’s nothing unusual about it,” he said.