Bello-Koko will reposition NPA — Sikpa
…Urges detractors not to distract him
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The newly appointed Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko has been tipped to reposition NPA, with a view to taking it to a greater height.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by a Public Affairs Analyst, David Sikpa and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect.
Sikpa was of the opinion that given the pedigree and experience of Mr Bello-Koko, the fortune of NPA would soon turn around for the better.
He cautioned against any malicious publication against the new MD, noting that such action could distract him from achieving set goal.
Sikpa who described Bello-Koko as ‘a trusted, tested and reliable public servant,’ said his performance so far while as acting MD of NPA is an eloquent testimony of his quality leadership, noting that he was appointed on merit and quality service delivery to the nation.
He said, “Koko was in May 2021 appointed acting MD and within this period increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N214.65 billion to N256.28 billion on approved estimate of N271.70 billion representing 120 percent or 95 percent growth of its total annual budget for 2021.
“The new MD led NPA into cost reduction by N10.39billion which is about 85 percent performance of the approved budget of N87.32billion. Koko by the end of September 2021 reduced actual spending from N65.49billion comprising employees benefits, pension cost to wage services, suppliers, repairs and maintainable to N55.10billion.
“As an astute financial expert with impeccable character, NPA under Koko remitted N62.66billion to the consolidated revenue fund as of 31 October 2021 while a cumulative sum of N89.9billion has been transfered to the CRF in the last six months.”
Reacting to an online publication bothering on alleged acquisition of property through offshore companies against Koko, Sikpa described it as figment of imagination of the author, adding that there was no iota of truth in the said publication.
“Koko in an earlier interview with the media has dismissed such baseless publication, describing it as falsehood,” he said.
Sikpa further reiterated that Bello-Koko’s appointment was purely on merit, quality service delivery, track record of performance and his patriotic love for his country.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence reposed in the new MD and lauded the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on whose recommendation the President acted upon to appoint Bello-Koko as substantive MD of NPA.
Recall that Koko was recently confirmed substantive Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority.
This was confirmed in a release signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
The statement said, “Based on the strong recommendation of the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the President has approved the appointment of Mohammed Bello-Koko as substantive MD of NPA.”
