The House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately refund the 50 percent deduction from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s account.
The House also mandated the Federal Ministry of Finance to release all outstanding 2 percent Port Development Levy Surcharge funds owed to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Adopting a motion moved by Hon. Abba Ahmed Sani from Zamfara State on Wednesday, the Green Chamber further mandated its Committees on Shipping Services, Finance, and Public Accounts to ensure compliance with the resolution.
The House noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance deducted 50% of the Nigerian Shippers Council’s account balance in December 2023 under the provisions of the 2021 Finance Act.
Also of concern was the Federal Ministry of Finance’s slow and inconsistent release of the 2 percent portion of the 7 percent Port Development Levy Surcharge allocated to the Council, resulting in delayed and insufficient funding.
The House was dismayed that the non-release and delayed release of funds has caused significant operational challenges for the Council, including the inability to pay salaries and retirees’ entitlements, leading to undue hardship for staff and retirees.
Similarly, the Green Chamber said the Nigerian Shippers’ Council headquarters is in a critical condition due to structural and technical damages.
“The building is at risk of imminent collapse, posing a significant danger to staff and visitors. This situation is a potential national disaster waiting to happen.”
The lawmakers were concerned that “The building’s integrity is compromised, with a leaking roof that allows water to seep into the upper floors during rainfall. This worsens the structural damages and makes the environment uninhabitable and hazardous.”
Furthermore, the House was worried that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is classified as a revenue-generating agency, placing it in the same category as other such agencies, even though they are not.
It noted, “This misclassification has resulted in inadequate budgetary allocations, leaving the council unable to meet its operational and financial obligations.”
The motion was unanimously adopted and referred to the relevant committees.
