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Published 20 May 2021
MOST banks hurriedly closed on Wednesday afternoon in Owerri, Imo State, as deafening sound of gunshots rent the air, causing panic in the state capital.
This was even as policemen and soldiers cordoned off roads leading in and out of the state capital.
The shooting spree, which took place around the MCC Road in the state capital, forced many residents to scamper for safety.
Traffic flow was immediately halted as the police beefed up security in front of the state Government House, Owerri Correctional Centre, Bank Road, Ama Hausa, Wetheral Road, Douglas and other major roads within the state capital.
other controversial issues contributed to the suspension of Bala Usman as NPA MD.
Reacting to media reports, Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, ministry of transportation, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described the allegation that Amaechi recommended two Chinese companies to execute the contracts as a “deliberate attempt to drag the integrity of the minister in the mud.”
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“It is necessary to place on record that while Channel Management contracts have been routinely awarded over the years by the Nigerian Ports Authority at a cost of between 50 and 60 billion naira on an annual basis, the Honourable Minister has adopted a firm position that the NPA should undertake the job of channel management on an in-house basis through the acquisition of the necessary machinery and professional capacity given the humongous annual sums paid out to dredging contractors by the authority,” the statement read.
The ministry of transportation says it objected to the award
of channel management contracts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) because
it is more cost-effective to procure necessary equipment and execute the
contracts in-house.
Several reports have traced the ‘cold war’ between Rotimi
Amaechi, minister of transportation and Hadiza Bala-Usman, the suspended
managing director of NPA, to the renewal of $1.5 billion channel management
contracts.
Reacting to media reports, Magdalene Ajani, permanent
secretary, ministry of transportation, in a statement issued on Tuesday,
described the allegation that Amaechi recommended two Chinese companies to
execute the contracts as a “deliberate attempt to drag the integrity of the
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Investors threaten to divest over free trade zones reform Investors in the Nigeria free trade zones (FTZs) have threatened to divest from the zones over a proposed reform by the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment (FMITI). Advertisement.
COVID-19: No new death as Nigeria records 41 new infections Nigeria’s daily count of COVID-19 cases remained relatively low on Saturday, with 41 new infections recorded in six states and the federal capital territory (FCT).Advertisement The Nigeria Centre for Disease.
On the Asaba revolt by southern governors If you are a keen observer of Nigerian politics, or should I say politicking, you must have noticed many unusual things about the meeting of the 17 southern governors in.
• Governors accuse minister of impunity, want suspension quashed
• Lobbyists want Koko dropped as Acting MD
• Minister appoints seven-man panel
By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern
The suspension of the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, is causing ripples in the Presidency, The Nation can report.
Hadiza was asked to step aside on Thursday while an administrative panel examines the books of the organisation.
Although the Presidency which ordered the suspension gave no reason for its action, sources said it has to do with the alleged non-remittance of N165.3 billion surpluses of the NPA into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) by the suspended MD.