Why NITDA ex- DG, Jack was suspended, by minister

Govt targets PPP initiative to reposition NIPOST
THE Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has explained why the former Director General (DG) of the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Peter Jack, was suspended.

Justifying the suspension of Jack, the minister, in an interaction with journalists on Monday, explained that there were several infractions at NITDA, both financial and irregularities in the appointments done by the agency.

Shittu, who said by law, he only has power to suspend, however said that if the on-going investigations absolved Jack of any complicity in the matter, he (Jack) will be returned as the DG of NITDA through his recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, since NITDA’s establishment, the agency only has 70 staff, but all of a sudden, “we discovered that about 400 people were appointed. This was done without interviews; no skill gaps assessment and no letter and without recourse to the ministry. Offices were just created without adequate portfolios. You will recall that NITDA for now does not have a board.

“In the absence of the board, the law says the minister should act. They never carried the ministry along in the several appointments that were made, which should not have been.”

According to him, most of the discoveries at NITDA under the suspended DG were very outrageous. “He reported me to so many people and even blackmailed me up to the National Assembly. Though, he is under suspension because that is what the law allows me to do. However, if the on-going investigations found him clean, he will be restored back as NITDA DG.”

Meanwhile, the minister said government was keen on seeing that the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) returns to a profit making outfit and become more viable in the country.

To achieve this, Shittu said government will be exploring a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative that will bring both government and the private sector together for NIPOST repositioning.