NIMASA: Amaechi Dares Buhari Over DG’s Removal

PRESIDENT BUHARI CAN’T REMOVE PETERSIDE WITHOUT MY CONSENT, HE SAID

By Fola James

24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari removed Dakuku Peterside, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Rotimi Amaechi, Transportation Minister said he was not consulted before the removal.

Peterside’s four year tenure ends on March 10. He was appointed into that position in 2016 by the president.

Bashir Jamo, the executive director, finance and administration was appointed on Wednesday by the president as Peterside’s replacement.

But while speaking on AIT Television programme on Thursday, the minister said the removal of former governorship candidate of APC in Rivers state, did not follow due process.

The minister, a former governor of Rivers state was instrumental to the appointment of Peterside four years ago.

Peterside’s four year tenure ends on March 10. He was appointed into that position in 2016 by the president.

Bashir Jamo, the executive director, finance and administration was appointed on Wednesday by the president as Peterside’s replacement.

But while speaking on AIT Television programme on Thursday, the minister said the removal of former governorship candidate of APC in Rivers state, did not follow due process.

Amaechi said “I am not aware of that (that Peterside has been removed as NIMASA DG). The president has the right to remove him or replace him if he will not renew his appointment. But if his appointment is not going to be renewed, it should wait until it expires.”

The minister said further “But if it is a sack as you said, if I’m still the minister of Transport, I am the one who will inform him of his removal.”

The magazine had in a report last week said President Buhari was not likely to re-appoint the former member of the House of Representatives as the agency DG.

The source cited presidency sources which said the DG has become too controversial in his position and no longer enjoyed the confidence of the power-that-be in Abuja.

Part of his sins, the sources said was his disrespect to the National Assembly.

On three occasions, the NIMASA boss shunned the House Committee on Public Account probing the agency over its failure to audit its account for five years.

Some members of the committee had informed the magazine that a warrant of arrest will be issued against him.

Earlier this week, the Teslim Folarim-led Senate committee on Local Content had vowed to sanctioned Peterside following his failure to honuor their invitation.

Amaechi said “I am not aware of that (that Peterside has been removed as NIMASA DG). The president has the right to remove him or replace him if he will not renew his appointment. But if his appointment is not going to be renewed, it should wait until it expires.”

The minister said further “But if it is a sack as you said, if I’m still the minister of Transport, I am the one who will inform him of his removal.”

The magazine had in a report last week said President Buhari was not likely to re-appoint the former member of the House of Representatives as the agency DG.

The source cited presidency sources which said the DG has become too controversial in his position and no longer enjoyed the confidence of the power-that-be in Abuja.

Part of his sins, the sources said was his disrespect to the National Assembly.

On three occasions, the NIMASA boss shunned the House Committee on Public Account probing the agency over its failure to audit its account for five years.

Some members of the committee had informed the magazine that a warrant of arrest will be issued against him.

Earlier this week, the Teslim Folarim-led Senate committee on Local Content had vowed to sanctioned Peterside following his failure to honuor their invitation.

Sources in the presidency told the magazine that Senate President, Ahmad Lawal and Speaker, House of Reps put pressure on the president to replace Peterside as the head of the lucrative maritime agency.