FCC warns MDAs of tougher penalties as NPA backs reforms

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to brace for tougher penalties over violations of the Federal Character Act, as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) pledged support for the Commission’s ongoing reforms.

The warning came during an interactive session between the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority and members of the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Peter Eze, said the NPA management was briefed on the Commission’s new compliance framework, revised operational guidelines and sanctions for MDAs that fail to comply with the Federal Character principles.

According to him, the engagement was aimed at assessing the NPA’s level of compliance while strengthening collaboration to promote fairness, equity and inclusiveness in the public service.
“The essence of this engagement is to evaluate the performance of the Federal Character Commission’s mandate and to ensure that, going forward, there is no room for non-compliance with the Federal Character principles,” Eze said.

He disclosed that the commission had introduced stricter monitoring mechanisms and stiffer penalties to ensure full compliance across government institutions.
“The major takeaway is that they were appropriately briefed on the new reforms of the FCC under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran.

“They have been informed about our new rules, the penalties for violations and the measures we will take against any MDA that goes against the Commission’s mandate,” he added.
Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to full compliance with the Federal Character principles.

Dantsoho described the engagement as productive, saying collaboration among government institutions remained essential for effective service delivery and national development.
“Everybody should come to the reality that we cannot make meaningful progress without collaboration, partnership and ensuring that laid-down rules, regulations and policies are complied with to the letter,” he said.

The NPA boss also commended the leadership of the Commission for what he described as its ongoing institutional reforms and renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the NPA and the FCC would enhance institutional governance and improve compliance with the Federal Character Act.

Eze, on his part, commended the NPA management for its willingness to cooperate with the Commission, expressing optimism that the Authority would fully align with the FCC’s mandate.
He said closer collaboration between both institutions would strengthen good governance, fairness and national unity.