NPA: CSOs back Reps, want EFCC to probe non-remittances under Bala-Usman
Published 15 May 2021
Some civil society organisations have supported calls by a cross section of members in the House of Representatives for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the Nigerian Ports Authority under the leadership of its suspended Managing Director, Hadiza Bala-Usman.
Saturday PUNCH had reported that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was probing the alleged non-remittance of N165.32bn operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund by the NPA, which followed the suspension of the ports authority boss.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation, in a May 4, 2021 letter to the President, claimed that the NPA failed to remit N165.32bn to the CRF from 2016 to 2020 and called for an investigation and audit of the financial accounts of the authority
Some analysts were of the opinion that an administrative will amount to a waste of time, insisting that even the composition leaves much to be desired.
The minority caucus in the House of Representatives agreed with this observation, saying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must do its work of unravelling financial malfeasance in government instead of allowing the political class to reduce a serious financial misconduct to the normal ritual of setting up a committee that will not lead to anywhere.
Amaechi, Hadiza must come out clean
The PDP in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the alleged looting of over N165 billion at the NPA must be thoroughly investigated by the EFCC which is saddled with such responsibility.
Mr Amaechi, while inaugurating the panel of enquiry, tasked the members to be honest and thorough in their investigation.
The terms and references of the committee include: “Examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 date.
“Examine and investigate issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and Presidential directives.
“Examine and investigate compliance with the communication channel as obtained in the Public Service.
BREAKING: Probe All Contracts NPA Awarded Under Hadiza Bala Usman, Amaechi Tells Investigative Panel
President Muhammadu Buhari had last week suspended Bala-Usman following allegations of non-remittance of N165 billion surplus revenue to the coffers of government.
by Saharareporters, New York
May 10, 2021
Against the backdrop of financial misdeeds allegedly perpetrated by suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, inaugurated an investigative panel to probe the books of the agency.
The Chairman of the 11-man committee is Auwalu Suleiman, the Director of Maritime Services and it is co-chaired by Mr Ben Omogo, Director, Organisation Design & Development (OHCSF).
Amaechi inaugurates panel on NPA, demands probe of contracts awarded by Hadiza Amaechi inaugurates panel on NPA, demands probe of contracts awarded by Hadiza
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The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday, inaugurated a committee to investigate the alleged shortfall in operating surpluses by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) under the leadership of the suspended MD/CEO, Hadiza Bala Usman.
The Chairman of the committee is the Director, Maritime Services of the ministry, Mr Auwalu Suleiman, and Co-Chaired by the Director, Organisation Design & Development (OHCSF), Mr Ben Omogo.
Mr Amaechi, while inaugurating the panel of enquiry, tasked the members, to be honest, and thorough in their investigation.