- SHARE THIS/ Pix(l-r): President Muhammadu Buhari and Hadiza Bala Usman. Behind (left): Rotimi Amaechi, Transport Minister
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Strong indications have emerged that the recently suspended Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, is allegedly pushing desperately to implicate her perceived enemies in the ongoing investigation of her stewardship at the agency.
Recall that the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, had, on Monday, in Abuja, inaugurated an 11-man Committee to investigate activities of the Authority, especially alleged breaches of the procurement law in the award of contracts for channel management and wreck removal, among others.
Also recall that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, had, in a statement, Tuesday, decried alleged attempts by the embattled suspended MD and her media handlers to distract the investigative panel, stressing that channel management contracts were routinely awarded over the years at a cost of between N50 and N60billion annually.
Competent sources hinted that the embattled MD allegedly told her close aides shortly after receiving her suspension letter that rather than go down alone, she is allegedly determined to bring the entire house down.
Highly competent sources hinted that her alleged determination not to go down quietly, informed her decision to allegedly rush to the media with news reports that the award of the contracts was a collective decision of the entire board and management of the authority.
“But this line of thinking is very laughable, especially coming from someone who has been basking in media self-praise for nearly five years now. In any case, she is the accounting officer, and therefore, the buck stops on her table. As CEO of a government agency like the NPA, you are the one who calls the shot, and should be accountable to the Nigerian people on behalf of your supervising body; the Federal Ministry of Transport in this instance,” they stressed, emphasizing that “it is most unfortunate that, in this clime, people lack the culture of accepting responsibility for their actions or inactions. The suspended MD is vicariously liable having presided over meetings where such crucial decisions were taken. Even if she was absent and nominated a representative, the representative did so on her behalf.”
They came again: “The release of official documents, including memos allegedly by the suspended MD to her media handlers is a very clear sign of desperation designed to embarrass her superiors and bring down her colleagues. It also smirks of insubordination, having taken the oath of secrecy as a public office holder.
“Someone should tell her that life does not begin and end with one office or position because the future is greater. She should also wait for the outcome of the investigation if she is sure her hands are truly clean, instead of indulging in smear campaign and pull him down syndrome.”
It was further alleged that for someone who likes to be in control, it was almost impossible for anyone to have imposed anything on her, which experts have also argued does not also absolve her of any wrong doing.
The ministerial panel of inquiry set up on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari is chaired by the Director of Maritime Services of the Ministry. It is to examine and investigate if the administrative decisions and awards issued by NPA under Hadiza Bala Usman are in compliance with extant government regulations and policies, from 2016 till date.
The panel is also to examine and investigate issues leading to the termination of concessions awarded by the NPA and confirm compliance with the terms of each respective agreement, court rulings and presidential directives, examine and investigate compliance with approved channels of communication as obtained in the public service.
Others include: to examine and investigate the procurement of contracts from 2016 to date, come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of NPA to forestall such occurrences in future and any other matter that may be necessary in the course of the assignment./Business and Transport/ SHARE THIS