The House of Representatives has renewed its call for an urgent amendment to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act of 2007. The proposed changes aim to improve shipping operations across the country.
Presentation of Edmund Chilaka’s Book
This call was emphasized during a recent event in Abuja, where the House was represented at the presentation of Edmund Chilaka’s book, “Nigeria’s Shipping Policy and Maritime Trade up to the Early 21st Century”. The event took place on Friday and featured insights into the need for legislative reform.
Proposed Amendments
The House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration underscored the importance of revisiting the 17-year-old NIMASA Act. The proposed amendments, highlighted by Adebayo Samuel (APC, Lagos), include:
- – Modernizing terminology from “Free on Board” to “Cost, Insurance, and Freight” to align with current practices.
- – Introducing an open international registry.
- – Enhancing the prosecutorial powers of NIMASA.
- – Strengthening Clause 17(7) to improve financial autonomy.
- – Enhancing coordination and reducing duplication of functions among government agencies.
Support for Indigenous Shipowners
Stakeholders and experts at the event stressed the need to increase cargo allocations for indigenous shipowners. They argued that such measures would support sustainable local shipping operations and strengthen Sections 35-38 of the NIMASA Act related to the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund.
Economic Impact and Policy Suggestions
The House’s initiative aims to revitalize dormant sectors of the Marine and Blue Economy and reduce capital flight, which currently costs an estimated $9 billion annually in freight payments to foreign shipping lines. Participants also advocated for clear cargo reservation policies and a proactive role for NIMASA in international trade and cargo management.
It is well-known that Nigeria’s laws are outdated, necessitating broader legal reforms. The House of Representatives’ proposal to revise these laws should be supported and extended to other areas of Nigerian law that also require modernization.
