By Ovie Okpare
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Bello-Koko’s appointment was contained in a statement issued by Director, Press & PR Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Eric Ojiekwe.
His appointment is coming barely 24hours after a report of a committee set up to investigate alleged financial misappropriation against the former Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, summited a report.
It was gathered that the committee report exonerated Usman of the N165 billion she was alleged by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, of failing to remit to the Federal Government.
However, following the suspension of Usman by the Transport minister, Bello-Koko then Executive Director, Finance and Administration, was appointed on acting capacity.
It was further learnt that prior to the submission of the committee report, there were reports that President Buhari has concluded plans to return Usman to position as the Authority’s Managing Director
But in the statement on Tuesday, the approved and confirmed the appointment of Bello-Koko as substantive boss of the Authority putting to rest the disagreement between the former MD and Amaechi.
The statement said Bello-Koko’s appointment is with immediate effect.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.
“Prior to this appointment, Mr. Koko was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Authority.
“This appointment takes immediate effect”, the statement read.
