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.
Amiwero said the 3 per cent freight levy, collected on all international inbound and outbound cargo, is funded through freight charges ultimately paid by importers and licensed customs agents, stressing that indigenous operators should benefit from the fund.
He expressed concern that nearly two decades after the establishment of NIMASA, critical maritime infrastructure required by indigenous operators, including trucks, barges and bonded warehouses, remains inadequately funded.
According to him, the lack of access to affordable financing has left many operators relying on ageing trucks and barges that frequently break down, resulting in cargo delays, increased logistics costs and safety risks on roads and inland waterways.
He therefore called for the establishment of a revolving loan scheme under the Maritime Fund to enable indigenous transporters and licensed customs agents replace obsolete trucks and barges with modern equipment capable of improving cargo evacuation from Nigerian ports.
He noted that efficient movement of cargo by road, rail and inland waterways is essential to port efficiency and national economic growth, adding that investment in modern transport equipment would reduce congestion around the nation’s seaports.
Amiwero also urged NIMASA to fully implement the provisions of its enabling Act by channeling the Maritime Fund towards capacity building, fleet expansion and infrastructure development for Nigerian operators.
He said countries with developed maritime sectors, including the United States, have sustained indigenous shipping through revolving funds, subsidy programmes, cargo reservation policies and other financial incentives, stressing that Nigeria should adopt similar measures to strengthen local participation in the maritime industry.
According to him, deploying the Maritime Fund as provided under the NIMASA Act would not only improve indigenous capacity but also enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime and logistics sector.
