The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has inaugurated a seven-man panel to probe the suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman
Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister said that the panel is to examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the suspended Managing Director and to confirm her level of compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.
Amaechi, however, noted that the terms of reference of the panel include examining and investigating issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of NPA and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and presidential directives.
“To also 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,” he said.
The Minister asked the panel to come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of NPA and forestall such occurrences in future, and any other matter that may be necessary in the course of the assignment.
The panel is chaired by the Director, Maritime Services Suleiman Auwalu with the following members;
Ben Omogo, Director, Organisation Design and Development, Co-Chairman.
Hussani Adamu, Director, Procurement
Blessing Azorbo, Director, Legal Services
Mercy Ilori, Director, Transport Planning Coordination
Muhly-deen Awwal, Director, Human Resources Management and
Gabriel Fan, Deputy Director, Legal Services, who serves as the secretary of the committee.
The panel also has three employees of Human Resources Management with the responsibility of serving as secretariat staff of the committee.