By Efe Onodjae
The Federal Government has been urged to direct the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to utilise the 3 per cent freight levy collected from international inbound and outbound cargo to provide revolving loans for indigenous maritime transport operators and licensed customs agents.
National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, made the call in a policy statement, arguing that the Maritime Fund established under the NIMASA Act was created to promote indigenous shipping and maritime infrastructure but has yet to achieve its intended objectives.
According to him, the NIMASA Act clearly mandates the Agency to promote indigenous commercial shipping, develop shipping infrastructure and implement policies that strengthen local capacity in ship ownership and other maritime assets.
He cited Sections 1(i), 17, 22(k) and 39(2) of the Act, noting that the Maritime Fund is specifically meant to finance programmes that advance the objectives of the Agency, including the development of indigenous shipping and maritime infrastructure.
