NPA warns public against fake procurement contracts on social media

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has alerted the public to the activities of criminal elements using social media to mislead and defraud unsuspecting individuals with fake procurement contract offers.

Persecondnews reports that a fictitious LinkedIn account has been created in the name of the NPA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

According to the NPA in a statement on Thursday on its official X handle, matters related to procurement and contracts are handled exclusively by the procurement division, which operates in accordance with the Procurement Act and other relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The NPA noted that the Managing Director is not involved in procurement processes, contrary to the claims made by the fake social media account.

The statement said: “The attention of the Nigerian Ports Authority and our Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has been drawn to the activities of criminal elements misleading and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in connection with purported procurement/contract offers and wishes to state as follows:

“The “LinkedIn” account being used to make the purported offering of a procurement contract is fictitious and does not belong to MD/CEO of the Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.

“Matters bordering on procurement/contract are undertaken by the procurement division as guided by the dictates of the procurement Act and allied laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Not by the Managing Director as being touted by the blatantly mischievous social media account.

“The procurement processes and procedures of the Nigerian Ports Authority are never undertaken on social media and do not involve any form of advance payments.”

“This warning serves as a reminder to the public to be cautious when interacting with individuals or accounts claiming to represent the NPA or its officials on social media.

“The use of fake social media accounts to scam unsuspecting individuals is a growing concern, and the NPA’s warning highlights the need for vigilance in this regard. The public is advised to verify the authenticity of any procurement or contract offers before engaging with them.”

“In addition, the NPA’s procurement division can be contacted directly in real time (www.nigerianports.gov.ng) to inquire about legitimate procurement opportunities.

The NPA is committed to transparency and accountability in its procurement processes, and this warning is part of its efforts to protect the public from fraudulent activities,” the statement said.