It’s My Duty to Know What’s Going In NPA, Says Amaechi
The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi has said that he was right to blow the whistle on suspended Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director, Hadiza Usman because she was under his supervision.
Amaechi said this on Monday when he inaugurated an 11-man panel to investigate the activities of the agency from 2016 till date.
Amaechi, who charged the members of the panel to do a thorough job, said their terms of reference include examining and investigating the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the suspended Managing Director, Hadiza Usman, and also confirm her compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.
He charged the members of the committee to examine and investigate issues leading to the termination of other contracts of NPA and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court ruling and presidential directives.
He said: “You must examine and investigate compliance with communication channels, as obtained in the public service.
“Examine and investigate the procurement of contracts from 2016 to date and come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of NPA and forestall such occurrences in the future.
“You are also to look into any other matter that may be necessary for the course of the assignment.”
Amaechi further said that the decision to take a look at the books of the agency is in furtherance of the mandate of the ministry to oversee the activities of agencies and parastatals under its supervision.
He said: “This is in the discharge of our responsibility as a ministry and I don’t see why anybody is complaining.
“What is wrong in looking at what is happening in NPA? I don’t see what is wrong in that. As the Minister of Transportation for four years, I hardly know what is happening and I want to know now.
“The president agrees with me that it’s my responsibility as minister to find out what is going on. It worries me that people are saying we should not ask questions but nobody has been indicted.
“Can we know what is going on in NPA? That’s the question. If everything is right, why do we have to bother at the end of the day?
“When you have completed your assignment, we will be glad to pass on the report to the President, but don’t forget your assignment will include activities of procurement and its processes from 2016 till date.
“And that is why you do not have a time limit. So, it will take you some time. You are not auditing, but finding out the processes.
“Please be diligent, invite anybody you want to invite, including the minister, if there are infractions you need me to clarify,” he said.
According to Amaechi, NPA is an agency that manages maritime trading activities in Nigeria which is expected to generate huge resources for the government to run the country.
Mr Amaechi was supported by his colleague, the Minister of State (Transportation), Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who said the investigation was within the purview of the ministry.
“This is why the ministry supervises and part of that role is looking, asking questions, and ensuring that things are done with due process.
“For the panel, there is so much noise, so it’s best you block your ears. Keep your head down and do what is in the interest of the entire country,” Mrs. Saraki said.
The Chairman of the committee, Suleiman Auwalu, who doubles as Director of Maritime Services of the ministry pledged the commitment of other members to diligently carry out the duties assigned to them.
Insidebusiness.NG had reported that the Presidency asked Hadiza Bala-Usman to account for to account for N165,320,962,697 which has been unremitted to the coffers of the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account (CRF) since 2016.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu had late Thursday night said that President Buhari approved that Usman step aside while the investigations into allegations concerning her were carried out.
Mr. Mohammed Koko, Director, Finance and Administration has since assumed duties as Acting Managing Director of the NPA.
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