The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ,NIMASA is studying what it called “the purported ruling and will take action as appropriate” on the a court’s judgment “purportedly declaring the NIMASA 3% statutory levy as illegal”,the agency’s spokesperson,Lami Tumaka said today.
In a statement by the agency titled: “In The Matter Of Golden Shipping Company Of Nigeria Limited Vs National Maritime Authority (NMA), Now Nigerian Maritime Administration And Safety Agency (NIMASA) And 1 Other” the Agency said its attention has been “drawn to a media report on a ruling of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos in a matter between GOLDEN SHIPPING COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED vs NATIONAL MARITIME AUTHORITY (NMA) now NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA) and 1 Other, purportedly declaring the NIMASA 3% statutory levy as illegal.”
Tumaka said the agency “wishes to draw the attention of ALL SHIPPING COMPANIES and the general public to the provisions of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act 2007 which authorizes the Agency to collect 3% levy on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Specifically, Section 15(a) of the Act authorizes NIMASA to demand and collect 3 percent of gross freight on all international inbound and outbound cargo from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria.”
And , “for the avoidance of any doubt therefore, the NIMASA Act 2007 is a subsisting legislation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and accordingly the Federal High Court could not have declared the provisions of the Act illegal. The publication to say the least is mischievous and calculated to mislead the general public” she added while also urging “all shipping companies and other relevant organizations should therefore take note and ensure continued compliance with the provisions of the NIMASA Act 2007 accordingly.”