Reps probe $10bn leakage in NIMASA, read what they did to its management
– The motion was sponsored by Hon Jones Onyeriri
– The lawmaker said NIMASA over the years has been very unproductive in carrying out its mandate
– Onyeriri revealed that the NNPC and IOC exported crude oil without collaboration with the agency
Nigeria’s federal House of Representatives at a plenary.
The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) has been summoned by the House of Representatives over alleged financial leakages of about $10 billion.
READ ALSO: Ex-NIMASA boss challenges court’s power to prosecute him
Leadership reports that the lower House asked the agency’s management to appear before it’s probe panel and explain the influence of its activities on the country’s economy in the last eight years.
The agency was summoned after a resolution on a motion requesting the House to Investigate Revenue Leakages and Operational Deficiencies in the Agency sponsored by Hon Jones Onyeriri.
The lawmaker stated that NIMASA is saddled with the responsibility of making sure there is a cleaner and safer shipping environment. He said the agency is also responsible for capacity building and supervising the maritime safety and security of the nation.
Onyeriri told the House that NIMASA over the years has been very unproductive in carrying out its job, adding that the development has led to financial leakages, maritime insecurity as well as operational deterioration in the agency.
“There are cases of revenue losses arising from leakages in 3 per cent levy on wet and dry cargoes, 2 per cent surcharge and other revenue sources conservatively put at $10billion over a period of 8 years,” the lawmaker said.
Onyeriri disclosed that the NNPC and IOC exported crude oil without collaboration with NIMASA, a situation that has caused the loss of 3% of its levy.
“Also aware that export lifting of crude oil by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and IOC’s which are based on the Free on Board (FoB) instead of Cost, Isurance and Freight (CIF) charges are carried out without interface with NIMASA for the purpose of enforcing the payments of the 3 per cent levy.
“Unauthorised midstream discharge of cargoes by IOC’S and oil servicing companies, which enables the evasion of the payment of levies to thrive, thereby depriving the country of revenue,” the lawmaker said.
Onyeriri further pointed out that the standard approach to the 3% levy for both wet and dry cargoes has further propelled the under-billing of the 3% levy as a result of lack of openness on the actual incomes of shipping companies.
READ ALSO: NIMASA suspends nine directors
The immediate past director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside six others on January 25, on charges bordering on fraud and forgery to the tune of N754.8 million.
The others arraigned with him were Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.
In an effort to make the agency more effective, Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Rivers state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 election has been appointed the new director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Daily Post reports.
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