NIMASA generates N839bn in six years –Investigation

The apex maritime regulator, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), raked in a total of N839.4 billion ($3483148145. 27) in the last six years, investigations by New Telegraph have revealed. The income was generated from three per cent monthly generation and collection in the maritime industry.

Data obtained by this newspaper revealed that the agency received N479.76 billion ($1.990,727,892.43) from the three per cent ship levy between January 2009 and June 2015 – before the exit of former Director General of the agency, Mr. Patric Akpobolokemi. In 2009, the agency generated $459.4 million; 2010 – $215.4 billion; 2011 – $238.9 million; 2012 – $237.5 billion and $287.3 million in 2013. In 2014, it got $335.7 million, while $216.2 million was generated in 2015. Also, the agency raked in a total of N359.6 billion ($1,492,420,296.43) from dry and wet cargoes. From wet cargo, it collected $104.2 million in 2009; $111.2 million in 2010 and $118.2 million in 2011.

Also, $121.8 million came in 2012, $132.1 million in 2013,$139.3 million in 2014 and $70 million in the first six months of this year. Also, on wet cargo, NIMASA collected $68 million in 2009; 2010, $88 million; 2011, $96.5 million and $104.7 million in 2012. Also, it garnered $110.1 million in 2013, $148.8 million in 2014, while $11 million was collected in the first six months of this year. It was learnt that the revenue was also generated from Sea Protection Levy (SPL) collection. The SPL states that vessels that fall in the category 100 Gross Tonnage (GT) and above, over 24 metres in length and have on board not less than 10 tons of oil, must pay.

Also, Nigerian flagged vessels pay N500 per gross tonnage (GT) for those from 100-1,000 metric tons (MT), while those from 1,001- 10,000GT will pay 350 GT. Other Nigerian flagged vessels with 10,001-100,000 metric tons pay N300 per GT and those from 100,000 metric tons and above pay 250 per gross tonnage. The foreign flagged vessels pay in dollars.Those from 100-1,000 metric tons pay $0.1 per gross tonnage, those from 1,001-10,000 metric tons pay $0.15 per gross tonnage, those from 10,001-100,000 per cent pay $0.2 per gross tons, while those from 100,000 metric tons and above pay $0.3 per gross tonnage