By Adedapo Adesanya
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has been suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Her suspension comes as the Ministry of Transportation, headed by the Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, sets up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the NPA management.
Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, an Executive Director at the NPA, will replace Ms Usman for the duration of the investigation, a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, on Thursday said.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has 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 the Nigerian Ports Authority,” the statement said.
“The President has also approved that the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, step aside while the investigation is carried out, while Mr Mohammed Koko will act in that position.
“The panel is to be headed by the Director, Maritime Services of the Ministry and the Deputy Director, Legal of the same ministry will serve as Secretary.
“Other members of the panel will be appointed by the Minister.”
Ms Bala-Usman had been appointed in 2016 and her tenure was renewed for another five years by President Buhari in January this year.
Business Post understands that the allegations against Ms Bala-Usman have not been disclosed or has the details of the duration of the probe been revealed.
