David Omonibeke may soon be appointed managing director (MD) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from his current position of executive director, marine and operations.
If this happens, he will replace Habib Abdullahi and thus become the first South Southerner to head the NPA since it was established in the 1950s.
TheNiche learnt that the forces behind the appointment of Omonibeke into the executive directorate have once again convinced President Goodluck Jonathan of the imperative of promoting him to the top job.
Niger Delta connection
Omonibeke, according to sources in the NPA, was never an employee of the authority.
But in 2012, he was allegedly assisted by an influential former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, who now calls the shots in the maritime industry, to be appointed executive director to occupy one of the juiciest offices in the sector.
Jonathan is reportedly poised to sack Abdullahi because of alleged mismanagement. The media have been awash in recent times with reports of how the NPA has not fared well under his leadership.
There is bickering between him and the NPA board chaired by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Tony Anenih, over contract awards and other vital issues.
However, Abdullahi is said to enjoy the robust support of Transport Minister, Omar Sulaiman.
Abdullahi himself reportedly became MD with the help of Vice President, Namadi Sambo, his former university classmate.
Before he became MD in 2012, he was general manager, GM (overseas operations), supervising NPA London office.
He was recalled and made the GM (Eastern Ports), a seemingly less juicy posting.
Abdullahi allegedly rejected the post and cried to Sambo who ensured that he never stepped out of the NPA headquarters on the Marina, Lagos. Shortly after, he was appointed MD.
But his adversaries alleged that the way he runs the NPA is not in the best interest of the close aides of Jonathan.
NPA sources argued that he is no longer keen on the job because he has attained the retirement age of 60, which he celebrated in April this year.
Many alleged that Abdullahi has lost a sense of commitment and passion to lead the NPA, which prompted Jonathan to shop for a replacement.
Tompolo’s growing influence
Alleged to have a hand in the appointment of a new MD is Tompolo, promoter of the Global West syndicate, a private firm which provides logistics for the monitoring and protection of Nigeria’s territorial waters.
It was learnt that Tompolo is determined to ensure that qualified Niger Deltans become top brass in influential maritime parastaltals, and is allegedly in the fore front of ensuring that Omonibeke takes over from Abdullahi.
Tompolo recently persuaded Jonathan to renew the tenure of Patrick Akpobolokei as director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which confirmed a story TheNiche published earlier.
Omonibeke may become MD before the year runs out, according to a source in the presidency.
“You know I told you about (Patrick) Akpobolokemi of NIMASA, did it not happen? Watch out again,” he said.
“I can assure you that the appointment of (David) Omonibeke as MD NPA is a done deal, it has been concluded. Very soon the president will announce it. This is why I said you people should come closer and support what Jonathan is doing.”
Opposition to Omonibeke’s appointment
However, Omonibeke’s appointment faces challenges. Some interest groups are kicking against it because Akpobolokemi, a fellow Ijaw, is NIMASA boss.
They argued that it is unfair for Jonathan to cede the leadership of both NIMASA and NPA to Ijaws, as the parastatals are the two most influential in the maritime industry.
Some South Westerners are accusing Jonathan of bias by the plan to appoint another Ijaw man to head NPA.
A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos warned that it may affect Jonathan’s fortunes in the election.
A maritime lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, assessed the sector and concluded that “a lot needs to be done.”
The maritime industry is very big, he stressed.
“The ports were privatised six or seven years ago, but privatised to whom? To foreigners who are looking for their pockets not for Nigerians wellbeing?” Agbakoba wondered.
He added: “Nigeria generates 80 per cent of the cargo that comes into West Africa and Central Africa, but the goods end up going elsewhere.
“You ship a car from Belgium to Cotonou (Benin Republic), not to Nigeria, because Nigerian ports are the most expensive in West and Central Africa as a result of the high port charges foreign terminal operators demand. The government is not doing anything about it.
“Recently the government made the Shippers Council to become the economic regulator. That is some advantage. But we have to define what we want to do in the maritime sector and go for it.
“Look at how all the crude oil gets stolen. We also have to define the role of some agencies. Are they not doing too many things together – like NIMASA into safety, security, standard, and quality?
“The time to rethink what our maritime industry can do is now. I have always said that the way to go for the industry is to appoint a minister for shipping because shipping is big; it can contribute in the light of our oil resource.
“Shipping can contribute a vast amount of money that won’t even make us remember oil, but you need to have a minister of shipping as you have a minister of petroleum.”
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