NPA probe:  Panel extends memoranda submission by one week

By Seun Ibiyemi

The administrative panel of Inquiry set up by the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, to investigate the activities of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2016 to May 2021 has extended the deadline for memoranda submission by one week.

The panel had given the staff of NPA, stakeholders and the general public seven-days, which ended on Friday, to submit their input on the activities of NPA under the suspended Managing Director of the authority, Hadiza Bala Usman.

Secretary of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry, Gabriel Fan, who disclosed this in an exclusive chat with journalists said the extension was a decision reached by the panel to give all stakeholders the opportunity to send in their contribution in the ongoing probe.

He said no fewer than 15 memoranda have so far been received, urging all who are yet to submit to do so before the expiration of the final deadline.

“There has been an extension of seven days from Friday last week. It was the decision of the panel that it should be extended for another seven days and that would be the final extension. On the average, we have 15 submissions so whoever has can still send in before the expiration of the final extension,” he said.

According to the panel, all written memoranda in respect of the Inquiry should be written in English; typed in double line spacing; not more than four (4) pages; and submitted in not less than 20 hardcopies, addressed to the: Secretary, Administrative Panel of Inquiry, Federal Ministry of Transportation, 3rd Floor, Legal Services Department, Bukar Dipcharima House, Central Business District (CBD), Abuja; and soft copies to –[email protected].

The Terms of Reference of the committee according to the Transport Minister include:

Examine and investigate the administrative policies and strategies adopted by the Management of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 to May 2021.

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 obtains in the Public Service.

Examine and investigate the procurement of contracts from 2016 to May, 2021.

To determine the Revenues, Expenditures and Remittances to Government by NPA from 2016 to May, 2021 vis-à-vis Government Financial Regulations.

Come up with suggestions and advice that would strengthen the operations of Nigerian Ports Authority.

And any other matter that may be necessary in the course of the assignment.