FG appoints Peterside as NIMASA DG

As House of Reps order investigation into IOCs activities

The Federal Government on Thursday appointed Dr Dakuku Peterside as Director General of Nigerian Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). A statement signed by Yetunde Sonaike, the Director, Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation in Abuja said that the appointment was with immediate effect.

Peterside was the governorship candidate of APC in April.11, 2015 governorship election in River state and also a former member, House of Representative from 2011 to 2015. According to the statement, Peterside has a Doctorate Degree in Management Science from the University of Port Harcourt and MBA in Business Administration. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.MLS) in Hematology from Rivers State University of Science and Technology In another develop, The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Maritime Safety, Administration and Education to investigate allegations of evasion of levies due to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by international oil companies (IOCs) in the course of lifting the nation’s crude oil and imported petroleum products.

The committee is also to investigate the non-remittance and under-remittance of 3% levy, 2% surcharge and other revenues due and collectible by the agency. The alleged unremitted levy and surcharge which is in excess of $10 billion is over a period of eight years.

The House committee is also to obtain inputs from maritime stakeholders on the matter for the purpose of recovery and improvement of operational efficiency, Besides these, the committee will consider and track various implementations and compliance by both NIMASA and various stakeholders with the NIMASA Act of 2007 and the Cabotage Act of 2003, and other related matters, and report back to the house within six weeks for further legislative action.

The resolutions of the House were sequel to the passage of a motion titled “Call for Investigation of Revenue Leakages and Operational Deficiencies in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)” sponsored by a member, Hon. Chukwudi Jones Onyereri. The lawmaker while moving the motion noted that NIMASA has the responsibility of ensuring cleaner, and safer shipping, capacity building and superintending the maritime safety, administration and security in Nigeria.