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

The suspension of Usman is to allow the panel of inquiry which is to be set up by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, to investigate the management of the agency to effectively carry out the task.

This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, through some tweet posts on his official Twitter handle on Thursday, May 6, 2021. 

Shehu pointed out that the suspension follows the approval of the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Transportation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement from Garba Shehu reads, “President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi for the setting up of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The President also approved that the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, step aside while the investigation is carried out. 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. Other members of the panel will be appointed by the Minister.”