Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to immediately stop the planned disbursement of 700 million dollars to Nigerian citizens and companies
The resolution which followed a motion of urgent public importance by Henry Nwawuba from Imo State also directed the committee on Local Content to immediately commence investigations into the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund with a detailed audit showing all monies that have accrued to it since inception.
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Nwawuba who expressed worry that 20 years after its enactment, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003 has not achieved its objectives, accused the Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency of misappropriating funds designed to promote the development of indigenous ship acquisition.
The lawmaker told his colleagues that if the parliament does not live up to its oversight responsibility, there will be a continuous violation of the provisions of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act.
The House, therefore, invited the Minister of Transportation and the Director-General, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to appear before its Committee on Local Content and explain the state of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund and how the funds have been applied over the past 20 years.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
