The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has set up a panel to investigate the suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman.
The suspension of Bala-Usman was disclosed last week by the Presidency.
Reasons for her suspension were not stated but investigation revealed that it may not be unconnected with the non-remittance of operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) account by the NPA from 2016 till date.
Ameachi on Monday, however, inaugurated a panel to investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.
Other terms of reference of the panel are; “Examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 to date.
“Examine and investigate Issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and Presidential directives.
“Examine and investigate compliance with the communication channel as Obtained in the Public Service and examine and investigate the procurement of contracts from 2016 to date.
“Come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of Nigerian Ports Authority and forestall such occurrences in future if any and other matter that the assignment may be necessary in the course of the assignment.”
The panel which will be chaired by the Director of Maritime Services, Mr. Suleiman Auwalu, has the Director of Procurement, Dr Hussani Adamu, Director, Transport Planning Coordination Mrs. Mercy Ilori, Director of Human Resources Management Mr. Muhiy-deen Auwalu, and Deputy Director, Legal Services Mr. Gabriel Fan (Secretary) as members.
In addition to the five-man panel by the ministry, the Office of the Head of Service is to send six nominations to the ministry to make it 11-man panel.
The Nation