Buhari suspends NPA MD, Hadiza Bala-Usman, directs probe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman.

He also approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation under Rotimi Amaechi for the setting up of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the management of NPA under the suspended MD.

A statement issued on Thursday night by a presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, directed Mohammed Koko to act as managing director of the authority.

According to the statement, the panel is to be headed by the Director, Maritime Services of the ministry while the Deputy Director, Legal of the same ministry will serve as secretary.

It added that other members of the panel will be appointed by Amaechi.

Even though no reason was given for her suspension, it was gathered that she had been having serious misunderstandings with Amaechi, including bypassing him to get her reappointment and that of board members of the NPA, six months before the expiration of her first term.

Hadiza was also alleged to have taken key decisions without recourse to the minister.

Several ministers had had running battles with heads of agencies ministries.

A source, who is an aide to Amaechi, said the minister had been worried over the alleged overbearing nature of the suspended NPA boss.

“The minister and some members of staff of the ministry are currently in Jos for a programme and he is scheduled to brief the press on the issue,” the source said.

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