President Buhari suspends Hadiza Bala Usman as MD NPA… approves panel of inquiry

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

Following Ms. Usman’s suspension, Mohammed Bello-Koko the Executive Director, Administration of the NPA, relieves her as managing director, in acting capacity.

In a statement on Thursday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that Mr. President approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation under Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The statement reads that: “The President 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 while the Deputy Director, Legal of the same ministry will serve as Secretary.”

The Honourable Minister of Transportation will appoint other members of the panel which begins sitting on Monday, May 10, 2021, according to the statement.

Hadiza Bala Usman was first appointed as  MD NPA in 2016, and the President renewed her appointment for another five-year term in January 2021.