President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, according to sources quoted by Peoples Gazette.
The president immediately appointed Mohammed Koko, the director of finance to replace Ms Usman.
While Ms Usman said she was aware of her suspension, she said she has not received any formal letter or communication to that effect from the Ministry of Transport.
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has now disclosed in a statement titled ‘President Buhari approves panel of inquiry on NPA, asks MD, Hadiza Usman to step aside.’
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has 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.
“The President has 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.”
Ms Usman was appointed as NPA chief in 2016 and has repeatedly propagated her reform policies that sought to redirect the organisation, which is one of the top revenue-generating entities of the Nigerian government.
