The last has not been heard about the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension of the head of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, due to alleged insubordination and abuse of office.
Although she is said to be reportedly making frantic efforts to fault the procedure that was deployed in her suspension, the group described it as a bold step to cleanse the maritime sector.
Last Friday, a coalition of maritime stakeholders in the continent known as Africa Blue Economy Coalition (ABEC) lent their voices in this regard.
The continental body of 63 civil society organizations across Africa made its position known after a virtual quarterly briefing coordinated from their secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.
The session was moderated by the Secretary-General Mr. Mukisa Solomon.
Among other things, the Coalition reiterated their commitment to supporting the implementation of the AU-Africa Blue Economy Strategy and other related frameworks that could contribute to reducing poverty and dependence on aid in the continent.
The group observed that at a time when the continent is still coping with the negative economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, further dependence on natural resources will keep Africa stagnated with its future uncertain.
In this regard, the group called on African governments to harness the potentials of the blue economy as it will provide the surest pathway towards economic diversification and creation of value-added jobs that can hasten Africa’s post-pandemic recovery.
Commenting further on the reported developments that led to the suspension of the former Managing Director of the NPA, the group said they are regularly receiving feedback from colleagues as the matters unfold.
It applauded the office of the Auditor General of the Nigerian Federation headed by Mr. Aghughu Adolphous, who is also Chairman of African Union Board of External Auditors, for rising to the responsibilities of his office in an exemplary manner and admonished other government agencies to support President Buhari’s commitment to transparency.
It was an audit query from the Office of the Auditor-General that initially raised the issues of betrayal of trust and flagrant abuse of due process on the part of the suspended Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman.
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