Legal Obligation Unclear: NIMASA Denies Mandatory 10% Freight Levies To NEPC

Legal Obligation Unclear: NIMASA Denies Mandatory 10% Freight Levies To NEPC

NIMASA clarified that its governing Act does not stipulate any obligation to pay 10% freight levies to NEPC. Chidi Ofodile, NIMASA’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, emphasized the agency’s adherence to legal mandates during an investigative hearing in Abuja. He underscored that NIMASA, established by government legislation, bears no historical liabilities from NMA requiring payments to NEPC. Both NIMASA and NEPC were established by Acts of parliament, prompting Ofodile to urge lawmakers to review relevant legal provisions concerning these agencies…… CONTINUE READING

Nonye Ayeni, NEPC’s Executive Director/CEO, lamented NIMASA’s failure to remit 10% freight levies since 1992, despite directives from former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation. This non-compliance has severely constrained NEPC’s financial capabilities, impeding its statutory duties. Ahmed Munir, Chairman of the joint committees, highlighted NEPC’s operational challenges due to decades-long non-payment of levies by NIMASA, while Uduak Odudoh, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration, advocated for a thorough legislative review of both agencies’ Acts to address perceived discrepancies voiced by NIMASA.