Nigerian House of Reps moves to plug leakages in maritime sector

To address the lingering problem of revenue leakages put at $10bn, the Nigerian House of Representatives committee on Maritime, Safety, Education and Administration has issued a notice of public hearing summoning 1,319 companies to appear before it on June 15, in Abuja.

In an advertisement published in the newspapers, the committee also invited critical stakeholders in the maritime sector including Nigerian maritime administration and safety agency (NIMASA), Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Immigration Service among others.

The committee chaired by Mohammed Umar Bago, (APC, Niger) said that it aims to investigate leakages and operational deficiencies in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Hence the invited companies will answer questions relating to freight levy, cabotage surcharge, sea piracy among others.

According to the committee, the move seeks benchmark approach as opposed to actual freight charges in the determination of 3 percent of freight levy of both dry and wet cargoes midstream clearance and discharge of cargo vessels and vessels on temporary importation

It also seeks to investigate activities of foreign flag vessels in coastal trade and ship to ship discharge of wet cargo from mother vessels to daughter vessels.

Also concealment of marine spread of oil and gas contract agreements in EPCI illegal cabotage exemptions, dredging and reclamation activities within Nigerian waters will be addressed it noted.

 

ISAAC ANYAOGU