The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is a government agency whose activities are crucial to the economic advancement of the country. Ironically, successive governments have paid little or no attention to this critical agency, and the attendant result is a rot in its operations, to the country’s disadvantage.
The tenure of Rotimi Amaechi as the Minister of Transportation could be regarded as disastrous for the operations of the NPA. It was indeed an era of politics and witch-hunting. Under his tenure, Hadiza Bala was suspended as the managing director. Several allegations were leveled against her. It was revealed that politics was at play rather than the facts.
The former managing director alleged that she was witch-hunted by the ex-minister and denied any wrongdoing that culminated in her suspension and sack. She was vehement in her defense, which she backed with facts.
The curious part of the whole issue was that her replacement was the director of finance of the agency, who supposedly was a part of the management structure. Sadly, the MD of the NPA is an “Ameachi boy” and his account officer when he was governor of Rivers State.
That was a red flag, which was indicative that a lot needs to be unraveled in what transpired during the tenure of Rotimi Amaechi as minister regarding the operations of the NPA. This is necessary to put issues in proper perspective. I think that at the critical stage of our existence, we should not play blind to some anomalies in the conduct of government business.
As it stands, I hold the conviction that the NPA stinks of corruption and other acts of mismanagement. The present managing director cannot continue to hold sway. It is tantamount to an extended stay in Egypt. The president must act if, indeed, he is serious about setting the country on the path of greatness.
Mohammed Bello-Koko has been in the news. He was indicted by the Panama Papers leak on how he amassed wealth in tax havens. All of these were not declared and amounted to a violation of the law on public office holders. And to think that he is still the managing director of the NPA leaves a lot to the imagination.
I won’t mince words about my position. The managing director of the NPA must be investigated. He needs to provide answers on his stewardship as the executive director of finance and, eventually, managing director. The allegations are too weighty to be ignored.
What is good for the goose should be good for the gander. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a man committed to addressing the myriad of challenges in the country, should, as a matter of urgency, call for a probe into the operations of the NPA.
The necessity of this action is not lost on us as a people and as a country. The country does not have the luxury of time. The president must act to address the rot in the NPA. The Renewed Hope mantra of the present administration will seem a mirage if urgent steps are not taken to address some of the brazen acts of corruption in some government agencies, including the NPA.
The stench in the NPA is choking. The rot is phenomenal, and I trust that the president is aware of the rot in the NPA and would act in the fullness of time. The managing director of the NPA needs to be thoroughly investigated. The indices are clear that everything is wrong in the agency’s operations.
There is a challenge. The issue is that a non-action would amount to gross insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and commitment to the Renewed Hope mantra of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. But I am glad that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has displayed an unwavering commitment to setting the country on the right path.
The need to rejig the management of the NPA is of immediate concern to well-meaning Nigerians. The NPA, as a critical arm of government, must not continue to dwell in Egypt. The time to act is now and in the interest of the country. The strategic importance of the operations of the NPA in the country cannot be overemphasized.
I believe in the sincerity of heart and purpose of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his desire to lead the country on the right path. In a short period, he has demonstrated an unalloyed commitment to sustainability growth and development. This is instructive and should send a strong message to those saddled with position positions of authority to act in the best interest of the country.
I am glad that with the steps taken so far since the assumption of office, the president has risen to the occasion when it matters most. Those who have elected to play to the gallery about the president’s sincerity in providing purposeful leadership need to rethink. His commitment is unflinching and a reason why discerning Nigerians should extend their support to the policies and programs of the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
The NPA needs total overhauling. I can vouch for the president’s commitment in this regard, and I am convinced beyond any doubt that the Augean stable at the NPA would be cleaned.
Agbese who is a member of the National Assembly heads the Reformers Think Tank.