NIMASA generates N5.1 tr in six years

• Workers divided over Acting DG’s appointment 

THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) NIMASA generated $1.99billion (N5.1trillion) revenue from the three per cent freight rate between 2009 and June 2015. A breakdown of the figures revealed that the highest collections of $335.7 million and $287.3million were recorded in 2014 and 2013 respectively.

This revelation comes as the leadership crisis at the agency, over the appointment of two Acting Directors-General for NIMASA within four days by the Federal Government is generating division among workers.

Although one of the groups is calling for an ‘emergency meeting’ in Surelere Lagos to discuss the development, it was however, not clear as at the time of filling this report what the agenda would be.

Indeed, the division among NIMASA workers became public on June 21, 2015 after the former Director-General, Partick Akpobolokemi, who was relieved of his position by President Muhamadu Buhari on July 6, handed over to the agency’s Executive Director in charge of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Calistus Obi.

A statement issued by NIMASA’s Deputy Director/ Head Public Relations, Isichei Osamgbi, dated July 21, 2015 had announced Obi as the Acting Director-General. Barely four days after the statement was released, Osamgbi issued another dated July 24, 2015 , announcing the appointment of Haruna Baba Jauro as the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA. No explanation was given for the turn of events.

A group of stakeholders under the leadership of Ovie Edomi, yesterday, called on Buhari to stop the what it identified as “ongoing damage in NIMASA as a result of the leadership tussle among the executive directors.”

The group said: “Consequently, we call for the abolition of EDs’ (Executive Directors) position, a political post that has helped in entrenching corruption and conflict in the system. We equally call for the appointment of a NIMASA-groomed DG, who is a maritime trained professional that understands the policy direction of the agency.”