AGS NEWS – The House of Representatives has cleared Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), of allegations regarding N178 billion in bad debts outlined in the authority’s 2019 audited financial statement.

Mike Etaba, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, dismissed these allegations during a public hearing held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The accusations, brought forth by the Forum of Non-governmental Organizations in Nigeria, implicated both the NPA and Bello-Koko in the mismanagement of the mentioned funds.

However, during the hearing, the forum failed to appear before the committee to substantiate their claims.

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Disappointed by their absence, Etaba deemed the petition lacking in merit, as the petitioner had not provided evidence to support their accusations against the NPA and its Managing Director.

The forum’s petition had highlighted concerns over the significant increase in debt from N135 billion in 2018 to N173 billion in 2019, as indicated in the NPA’s audited financial statement.

They called for the NPA’s management to address this issue promptly, citing the alarming proportion of bad and doubtful debts.