In a statement released on Sunday, BUA Group clarified that the ongoing reconstruction works received formal approval in 2022. This approval followed a directive from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), implemented by the NPA under new leadership after Ms. Usman's removal from office. The contract for the rehabilitation has been awarded to the Italian engineering firm, TREVI.
BUA emphasized that this substantial investment is being carried out without any public funds or government subsidies, underscoring its commitment to the project.
Tracing the Concession Dispute
The dispute over Terminal B dates back to June 2019, when the NPA, under Hadiza Bala Usman's leadership, declared berths 6 and 7 of Terminal B unsafe and instructed BUA to cease operations. BUA, through its subsidiary BUA Ports and Terminals Ltd, challenged this directive, asserting the validity of its concession agreement and the existence of a subsisting court injunction.
Despite the ongoing legal process, BUA alleged that the Hadiza-led NPA proceeded to decommission the facility. The company described this action as a violation of due process and a move that undermined investor confidence.
The matter escalated in early 2020 after direct intervention by BUA Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu with then-President Muhammadu Buhari. The case was subsequently referred to the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN). In a letter dated June 1, 2020, Malami referenced a presidential directive instructing the NPA to withdraw its termination notice, reverse the decommissioning, and reopen the terminal. He also urged both parties to discontinue arbitration and resolve the matter amicably.
The NPA eventually acted on the AGF’s position after Hadiza Bala Usman's removal from office in 2021. By 2022, BUA received formal approval to resume reconstruction work at Terminal B, paving the way for the current investment.
Economic Impact and Future Confidence
BUA Group highlighted the critical importance of Terminal B to its $500 million industrial complex in Port Harcourt, which includes vital flour, pasta, and sugar production facilities. The previous disruption to the terminal's operations risked over 4,000 jobs and led to estimated losses exceeding $10 million. These losses were included in court filings before BUA, in the interest of national development, withdrew contempt proceedings.
Since the resolution of the dispute, BUA Group stated that it has committed over $1 billion in new investments across key sectors. The company attributes this increased investment to a greater confidence in Nigeria’s business environment under the current administration, signaling a positive outlook for future economic engagement.