Perm Sec in trouble over NIMASA leadership tussle

For his role in a recent leadership tussle in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over who should be the Acting Director General, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr. Muhammed Bashir, may have gotten himself into trouble.
After sacking Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, the agency’s Director-General on July 6, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed him to hand over to the most senior officer in the agency who will remain in charge until a new DG is appointed.
Following that directive, Akpobolokemi on Monday handed over to Mr. Calistus Obi, the agency’s Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services.
But a mild drama reportedly played out at the agency’s Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos headquarters barely three days after when it became clear that Obi was not the most senior officer.
That discovery led to the elevation of the agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Baba Jauro, as the acting DG when he was discovered to be the most senior officer.
Jauro was said to have formally lodged a protest against Akpobolokemi at the Ministry of Transport and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation before the reversal was made.
But sources in the ministry said that the Permanent Secretary was suspected to have played a role in the initial elevation of Obi as the acting DG, and that for this, he and Obi had been issued queries by the HOS, Mr. Danlandi Kifasi..

Read also: Buhari sacks NIMASA boss, dissolves boards of parastatals

It was gathered, that Kifasi issued the query on the orders of the President who was angry that his directive was not followed on the choice of the acting DG.
“I can confirm to you that the Permanent Secretary has been queried by the Head of Service due the embarrassment caused by that drama in the agency. He is expected to explain his role in the matter,” the source said.
He said the reversal of role between the two top officials of NIMASA was a result of the investigation which revealed that although the two of them were appointed at the same time, Jauro resumed in the agency about three days ahead of Obi.
“The two of them were appointed the same day but their record of resumption showed that the new acting DG resumed about three days before Obi,” the source added.

 

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