In a bold move, Reps have instructed the CBN and finance ministry to repay deductions from the Shippers Council account. Read the full story here.
The House of Representatives has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance to promptly refund the 50 percent deduction made from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s account.
Additionally, the House has required the Federal Ministry of Finance to disburse all outstanding funds related to the 2 percent Port Development Levy Surcharge owed to the Council.
Following a motion presented by Abba Ahmed Sani from Zamfara State, the House has also tasked its Committees on Shipping Services, Finance, and Public Accounts with ensuring adherence to this resolution.
In his presentation, Sani highlighted that the Ministry of Finance had deducted 50 percent from the Council’s account balance in December 2023, citing the 2021 Finance Act as the basis for this action.
He expressed concerns regarding the Ministry’s slow and inconsistent release of the 2 percent portion of the 7 percent Port Development Levy Surcharge, which has led to significant operational difficulties for the Council, including challenges in meeting payroll and retirees’ benefits.
Sani further noted that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council headquarters is in a precarious state due to structural and technical issues, with the building at risk of collapse, posing a serious threat to the safety of staff and visitors.
The lawmakers expressed alarm over the compromised integrity of the building, which suffers from a leaking roof that exacerbates existing structural damage and creates an unsafe working environment.
Peoplesmind
