Federal Government on Monday inaugurated a panel to probe Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, the suspended Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), over alleged theft of N165.32bn operating surplus at her agency and the failure to remit the funds which had accrued between 2016 and 2020.
It would be recalled President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for the setting up of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the Management of NPA.
In a statement by presidential spokesperson, Mr Garba Shehu, the President also approved the suspension of Usman to enable investigation into the allegations of unremitted funds at the NPA under her watch.
In addition to the allegations bordering on N165bn operating surplus at NPA, fresh claims surfaced on Sunday that unremitted Value Added Tax deductions to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by NPA is now up to the tune of over N62 billion.
To investigate the allegations, Auwalu Dauda Suleiman, who is currently a member of NPA’s board and the current Director, Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transportation, was named as the Chairman of the panel.
Also Ben Omogo, Director, Organization Design and Development, is the co-chairman, while Mr. Gabriel Fan, Director, Legal Services is the Secretary of the panel.
Other members of the panel include: Dr. Hussani Adamu, Director, Procurement, Mrs. Blessing Ozorbo, Director, Legal Services, (OHCSF) Mrs. Mercy Ilori, Director, Transport Planning Coordination, Mr. Muhiy-Deen Awwal, Director, Human Resources Management, and three staff of Human Resources Management to serve as the Secretariat.
It was reported that the panel’s workings will include to “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 — 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. 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. And any other matter that may be necessary in the course of the assignment”.
