The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Finance to immediately refund the 50% deduction made from the accounts of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. The decision came after a motion was moved by Hon. Abba Ahmed Sani (APC, Zamfara) on Wednesday.
The House also directed the Ministry of Finance to promptly release all outstanding funds related to the 2% Port Development Levy Surcharge owed to the Council. This is in response to concerns raised by Hon. Sani about the negative impact of the deduction and delayed fund releases on the Council’s operations.
In his motion, Hon. Sani explained that in December 2023, the Ministry of Finance had deducted 50% of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s revenue, citing the 2021 Finance Act as the basis. He also raised alarms about the slow and inconsistent disbursement of the 2% portion of the 7% Port Development Levy Surcharge, which has led to insufficient and delayed funding.
“The non-release and delayed release of funds have resulted in operational challenges for the Council, including the inability to pay salaries and retirees’ entitlements,” Sani stated. He further highlighted that the financial difficulties have caused significant hardship for the Council’s staff and retirees.
Hon. Sani also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council headquarters, which he said was at risk of imminent collapse due to structural and technical damages. He pointed out that the building, with its leaking roof, had worsened due to rainfall, making the environment unsafe for staff and visitors.
The lawmaker emphasized that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is misclassified as a revenue-generating agency, resulting in inadequate budgetary allocations. This misclassification, according to him, has left the Council unable to fulfill its financial and operational obligations, further exacerbating its challenges.
The House’s resolution demands immediate action to address these issues, ensuring that the Council receives the necessary financial support to carry out its mandate effectively.