Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has been suspended.
Daily Trust reports that a source in the Ministry of Transportation said the minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and Bala Usman do not like each other.
According to the publication, the source, an aide to Amaechi who supervises the NPA MD, has been worried over her overbearing nature.
However, the newspaper said no reason was given for the suspension of Bala Usman, who was reappointed for another five-year tenure in January.
“Yes, the MD was suspended earlier on Thursday but the minister will give full details on Friday.
“The minister and some members of staff of the ministry are presently in Jos for a programme and he is scheduled to brief the press on the issue.
“No reason was given for her suspension but I can confirm to you that she has been suspended,” the source was quoted as saying.
She was appointed in 2016, following the sack of Habib Abdullahi whose second term was terminated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the setting up of an administrative panel of inquiry on the NPA and asked Bala Usman to step aside.
Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, in a statement on Thursday night, said the approval was at the recommendation of Amaechi.
“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,” the statement added.
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