Opposition APC Raises Fresh Allegations, Tells NIMASA To Account for U$800m, N50bn CVFF ProceedsEven as the 72-hour ultimatum that the party was given has expired, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised fresh allegations against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over proceeds from the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF).
In what appear like taking the fight further to NIMASA‘s doorstep, the APC has asked the agency to “tell Nigerians what happened to the $800 million and N50 billion of the Cabotage Vessel Finance Fund (CVFF) which the agency was in control of until recently when the “Fund” became unaccounted for. “
The fresh allegation coincides with the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum which the director general of NIMASA had given the party to retract a previous allegation of sponsoring hate broadcast against the presidential candidate of the APC; General Muhammadu Buhari on two television stations; AIT and NTA.
The Director General of NIMASA; Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi had last Sunday at a press conference, told the APC to apologise to NIMASA over the statement or risk litigations, even as he stated that the accusation is baseless, malicious and falsehood and one that cannot be backed with any evidence.
The Director General of NIMASA; Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi had last Sunday at a press conference, told the APC to apologise to NIMASA over the statement or risk litigations, even as he stated that the accusation is baseless, malicious and falsehood and one that cannot be backed with any evidence.
He had told journalists that, "NIMASA has decided to give APC 72 hours to retract their statement and offer an apology to NIMASA or the management of NIMASA will talk all necessary and legitimate action against the party"
"I hereby make clear that we are not a political party, we are not into politicking and should not be dragged into conventional politics which is not part of our act", Akpobolokemi had stated.
But, the Director, Media and Publicity of the APCPCO; Mallam Garba Shehu, said that “Nigerians deserve to know what happened to the CVFF, and that the agency should make public the list containing names of beneficiaries and amounts from the fund, if any”
He explained that the “Fund” was money derived as 2% surcharge for all Contracts under the Cabotage regime which came into force in 2004 by virtue of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage) 2003. The Cabotage Act, which was closely modeled after the United States of America’s Jones Act 1938, was to help develop the capacity and participation of indigenous ship owners in coastal inland trade which was largely dominated by foreigners. Up till today, that objective has not been achieved as seen in the depleted Indigenous Ship Owners Registry, the mass unemployed Nigerian Seafarers, and the prevalence of foreign interest in the Nigerian coastal waters”.
Malam Shehu said that instead, the Cabotage regime breeds corruption, ranging from request of inducement and gratification from foreign ship owners through their agents for waivers processing by NIMASA and approval of the Federal Ministry of Transport by some top staff of the agency to the disappearance of the CVFF Fund meant to be accessed by the Nigerian ship owners.
He noted that the website of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) shows that 90% of its 78 registered ship owners are on the brink of extinction as they are submerged in debts without the necessary CVFF to access.
He stressed that time is of the essence in publishing the list following fears that the money may have been diverted for other purposes such as the campaign of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and the submission of a request from the Director General of the agency to proceed on a six-months leave of absence from the agency.
Efforts to speak with the deputy director, public relations at NIMASA; Mr Isichie Osamgbi were unsuccessful, he was said to be at a meeting. http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/nimasa%E2%80%99s-ultimatum-against-party-expires
He explained that the “Fund” was money derived as 2% surcharge for all Contracts under the Cabotage regime which came into force in 2004 by virtue of the Coastal and Inland Shipping Act (Cabotage) 2003. The Cabotage Act, which was closely modeled after the United States of America’s Jones Act 1938, was to help develop the capacity and participation of indigenous ship owners in coastal inland trade which was largely dominated by foreigners. Up till today, that objective has not been achieved as seen in the depleted Indigenous Ship Owners Registry, the mass unemployed Nigerian Seafarers, and the prevalence of foreign interest in the Nigerian coastal waters”.
Malam Shehu said that instead, the Cabotage regime breeds corruption, ranging from request of inducement and gratification from foreign ship owners through their agents for waivers processing by NIMASA and approval of the Federal Ministry of Transport by some top staff of the agency to the disappearance of the CVFF Fund meant to be accessed by the Nigerian ship owners.
He noted that the website of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA) shows that 90% of its 78 registered ship owners are on the brink of extinction as they are submerged in debts without the necessary CVFF to access.
He stressed that time is of the essence in publishing the list following fears that the money may have been diverted for other purposes such as the campaign of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and the submission of a request from the Director General of the agency to proceed on a six-months leave of absence from the agency.
Efforts to speak with the deputy director, public relations at NIMASA; Mr Isichie Osamgbi were unsuccessful, he was said to be at a meeting. http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/nimasa%E2%80%99s-ultimatum-against-party-expires
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