Your Book Full Of Lies Against Me – Amaechi Knocks Former NPA MD

A former Minister of Transport and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman, of writing lies against him in her book titled ‘Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.’

Amaechi, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, stated this on Thursday at TheNiche annual lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he was the guest speaker.

Speaking on the book, Amaechi denied Usman’s claim in the book that he orchestrated her removal as the NPA Managing Director.

He said, “Some of you must have read the book written by the former MD of the NPA, ‘Stepping on Toes.’ There has been a huge debate about whether I should respond or not. The lies were too many.

“For instance, she claims that she was not indicted by the panel, but she was found guilty of all the ten counts. I even came with a copy of the memo to the President in which the President endorsed her removal.

“We took the President through all the counts, including the fact that a Managing Director of NPA with a N2.5m approval limit can approve a N2.8bn contract. No appropriation, including the fact that even if I were to approve despite the lack of appropriation, you are overpriced by N58m, so tell them to refund the difference, having awarded the contract.

“Why is that document not public? Prominent Nigerians are involved. She gave waivers to prominent Nigerians, which she had no power to give, and these are dollars accruable to the Nigerian economy. Still, she was bold to write the book, and Nigerians followed her to launch the book.”