To eliminate revenue leakages and achieve greater efficiency, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has set to automate its payment collection processes, in line with its
restructuring programme.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said this when he hosted representatives of major shipping companies operating in Nigeria under the auspices of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) in his office.
Peterside said that the current practice was being reviewed to ensure improved efficiency, and assured the delegation of the Agency’s readiness to institute more transparent ways of calculating the three per cent levy charged on all inbound and outbound cargo.
“We are automating our payment platform in line with our strategic growth plan to ensure greater efficiency in the payment process.
“The new process will be integrated with similar platforms of sister Agencies in order to correctly ascertain levies chargeable per freight and eliminate the bottlenecks currently being experienced.”
The DG told the delegation that the Agency’s commitment to the elimination of piracy and other criminal activities on the waterways was unwavering and that the Federal Government through the
Office of the National Security Adviser would soon launch a high capacity satellite system to assist the military in dealing with maritime crimes.
Office of the National Security Adviser would soon launch a high capacity satellite system to assist the military in dealing with maritime crimes.
Dr. Peterside also urged the shipping companies to support the Agency’s capacity building programme by providing sea time experience for cadets sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
Representatives of the Shipping Companies who had earlier raised the issue of maritime security and payment procedures also commended the DG for his commitment in dealing with the issues raised.
While promising to support the capacity building initiatives of the Agency by providing the requisite sea time experience for the NSDP cadets, the Shipping Association also expressed their commitment to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Some of the shipping companies represented at the meeting include; Grimaldi, Maersk, GAC, Hull Blyth, Mediterranean, PIL and Comet Shipping.
