The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has maintained that there is no provision in its 2007 Act for a 10% freight levy payable to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
At an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Joint Committee, NIMASA challenged NEPC’s claim that its 1992 Act provides for the levy.
NIMASA argued that the referenced “Nigeria Maritime Agency” is non-existent, and the current NEPC Act predates the NIMASA Act.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by Executive Director Chudi Offodile, stated that while NEPC’s objectives are commendable, NIMASA cannot obey directives that contradict its Act.
He emphasised that NIMASA did not inherit liabilities from the defunct National Maritime Authority and has clear revenue application provisions.
Offodile added that engaging NEPC on the levy suggests surplus funds, which NIMASA does not have. He noted that the NIMASA Act came into existence after the NEPC Act, and if the legislature intended to include the levy provision, it would have been explicitly stated.
The NEPC’s Executive Director/CEO, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, insisted that NIMASA is liable for the 10% freight levy, citing the NEPC Act.
However, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Uduak Odudoh, pointed out that the NIMASA Act does not mention NEPC, and any inconsistencies in laws should be interpreted by the judiciary.
The Joint Committee Chairman, Ahmed Munir, urged both parties to avoid personalising the matter and to furnish the committee with their Acts for critical review.
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