By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately refund the 50 per cent deduction from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s account.
This House also directed the Ministry of Finance to release all outstanding two per cent Port Development Levy Surcharge funds owed to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
These resolutions was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Rep. Ahmed Sani, on Wednesday at plenary.
Leading the debate, the lawmaker 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.
The motion reads in part: “The Federal Ministry of Finance has been slow and inconsistent in releasing the two per cent portion of the seven per cent Port Development Levy Surcharge allocated to the Council, resulting in delayed and insufficient funding.
“The House is 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.”
According to him, the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council 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 in waiting.
“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”, he noted.
The House expressed worries 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.
“This misclassification has resulted in inadequate budgetary allocations, leaving the Council unable to meet its operational and financial obligations”, it added.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and directed its Committees on Shipping Services, Finance, and Public Accounts to ensure compliance and report back for further legislative action.