“In view of the above, I wish to suggest that the financial account of the activities of NPA be investigated for the period 2016-2020 to ascertain the true financial position and the outstanding unremitted balance of one hundred and sixty-five billion, three hundred and twenty million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, six hundred and Ninety-seven naira only ,” Amaechi’s March 2021 letter to the President read in part.
However, while inaugurating the administrative panel on May 10, 2021, Amaechi ordered it to examine and investigate the “administrative policies and strategies” adopted by Bala Usman, and confirm compliance with extant laws and rules from 2016 till date.
However, more than five months after it was inaugurated, the panel has not submitted its report, thereby causing anxiety and uncertainty in the industry. The president, Nigerian Importers Integrity Association , Godwin Onyekazi, said major decisions that should move the industry forward and earn government more revenue have been delayed because the acting managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, is “constrained on several fronts”.Major decisions are suffering. Sometimes simple approvals for ships to berth are delayed and no one seems to be in charge. Some port concessions have expired but no action is being taken to sign off the renewal.