Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied claims made by former Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Hadiza Usman in her book, “Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.”
Amaechi, who was the guest speaker at TheNiche annual lecture in Lagos on Thursday, said that the book was full of lies against him. He specifically denied Usman’s claim that he orchestrated her removal as NPA Managing Director.
Amaechi said he had a copy of the memo to President Muhammadu Buhari in which the President endorsed Usman’s removal.
He said that the panel set up to investigate Usman found her guilty of all 10 counts, including approving contracts without the necessary appropriations and overpaying for contracts.
“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 10 counts. I even came with a copy of the memo to the President in which the President endorsed her removal.” the former minister said.
Amaechi also said that Usman gave waivers to prominent Nigerians, which she had no power to give. He said that these waivers deprived the Nigerian economy of millions of dollars.
Amaechi expressed frustration that Nigerians do not react to anything, even when they know politicians are lying. He said that Nigerians will even vote for politicians who are known thieves.
“What is new to say, Nigerians don’t react to anything. Has any politician told you he is not a thief? Which politician told you he went to university, which politician told you she served in NYSC, and which politician told you he has his certificate?
“Nigerians know and still vote for them, so what is your problem? I say why should I speak when already there’s nothing new
“Nigerians choose who to believe and who not to believe, Nigerians choose who to vote and who not to vote. Even if you come to a Nigerian man’s house and kill his mother, the father will continue his life. Nothing bothers you, nothing, so why should I waste my time?
“I chose not to speak again because there was nothing to say and because Nigerians would do absolutely nothing. If you say it’s a lie, line up 10 Nigerians and shoot them tomorrow, nothing will happen,” he said.
