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| DG NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside |
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has said it
generated over N22.9 billion to the consolidated revenue fund in 2018.
generated over N22.9 billion to the consolidated revenue fund in 2018.
According to the Director General of the agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,
this is the highest ever contribution coming from NIMASA from inception till
date.
this is the highest ever contribution coming from NIMASA from inception till
date.
Peterside, who disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate
Committee on Marine and Transport in Abuja, said NIMASA proposed N112.1 billion
for the 2019 fiscal year.
Committee on Marine and Transport in Abuja, said NIMASA proposed N112.1 billion
for the 2019 fiscal year.
He said: “In the year under consideration, NIMASA expects that our total
budgeted revenue will be N112.1 billion.
budgeted revenue will be N112.1 billion.
“That’s the total budgeted revenue for 2019.
“Out of this total budgeted revenue, on personnel emolument, we propose
to spend N20.1 billion.
to spend N20.1 billion.
“Overhead will account for N24 billion.
“For capital expenditure, which will be basically to fund ongoing
maritime projects, it will cost N17. 6 billion.
maritime projects, it will cost N17. 6 billion.
“And for the maritime fund projects, it will cost N71.01 billion.
“Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Senators, our contribution to the
consolidated revenue fund has consistently been on the increase in the past few
years.
consolidated revenue fund has consistently been on the increase in the past few
years.
“In 2018, we contributed a total of N22.9 billion.
“This is the highest ever contribution coming from NIMASA from its
inception till date.
inception till date.
“It will interest the Distinguished Senators to know that in the past
three years, our contribution to the consolidated revenue fund has surpassed
every known record before now.”
three years, our contribution to the consolidated revenue fund has surpassed
every known record before now.”
Peterside said the agency, in the year 2019, would be focusing on
closing out all ongoing projects.
closing out all ongoing projects.
“We will also pay special attention to maritime safety as we prepare for
the IMO elections,” he said.
the IMO elections,” he said.
The agency boss said NIMASA would continue to give priority attention to
maritime security, which has been a challenge for some time.
maritime security, which has been a challenge for some time.
He said: “We are prioritising our interventions under a programme called
the Deep Blue Project, which was conceptualised to provide an integrated
national surveillance and waterway protection solution with a command and
control infrastructure in the country which will see us purchasing a number of
special mission aircraft, helicopters for intervention, armoured vehicles for
intervention, etc.”
the Deep Blue Project, which was conceptualised to provide an integrated
national surveillance and waterway protection solution with a command and
control infrastructure in the country which will see us purchasing a number of
special mission aircraft, helicopters for intervention, armoured vehicles for
intervention, etc.”
Peterside told the committee that the agency did not want the country to
be known as hot spot of piracy, “which is the challenge we are facing now.
be known as hot spot of piracy, “which is the challenge we are facing now.
“So we are paying very serious attention to the area of maritime
security.”
security.”
As part of its effort, he said the agency would host a global conference
on maritime security in the country in October to get the world to focus on the
Golf of Guinea.
on maritime security in the country in October to get the world to focus on the
Golf of Guinea.
Peterside, who thanked the House of Representatives for the passage of
Suppression of Piracy Act, called on the Senate to also follow suit.
Suppression of Piracy Act, called on the Senate to also follow suit.
Responding to a question by Senator Ohuabunwa Mao (PDP-Abia) on why the
agency plans to generate N16 billion to the consolidated revenue fund in 2019,
Peterside said: “Nobody has control over issues of security and emergency.
agency plans to generate N16 billion to the consolidated revenue fund in 2019,
Peterside said: “Nobody has control over issues of security and emergency.
“We are devoting a lot more attention than normal to the issue of
maritime security.”
maritime security.”
He noted that though the N16 billion is only a projection, the agency
would spend some of the funds generated to tackle maritime security.
would spend some of the funds generated to tackle maritime security.
“As we raise more revenue, we contribute more. If we raise less, we will
contribute less,” he said.
contribute less,” he said.
After about two hours’ drill by the lawmakers, the Chairman of the
committee, Senator Ahmed Sani, lauded the presentation and wished the agency
success in its mandate.
committee, Senator Ahmed Sani, lauded the presentation and wished the agency
success in its mandate.
Agency Report.
