DEBT RECOVERY: D-G NIMASA Urged To Unveil Names Of Companies Owing Govt

By Roland Ekama

A former National President,Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) , Captain Thomas Kemewerigha has called on management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to publish names of companies owing the federal government in it quests to debt recovery.

Kemewerigha also demanded to know the two companies hired by NIMASA for the $5billion debt recovery as part of transparency and accountability mechanism.

The ex union leader who spoke with DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA on Tuesday against the backdrop of the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola interaction with journalists in Lagos also called on the apex maritime regulatory authority to list the names of all debtors , address and phone number for public consumption.

According to him, NIMASA should issue a Marine Notice to these companies that are defaulters with threats to drag them to court if they fail to comply.

The seafarer appeal to the Director General of NIMASA to see the agency as a federal government owned institution and not a Lagos State agency saying that political force might truncate his good intentions .

“I saw a publication where the DG of NIMASA saying two firms has been contacted to collect on behalf of NIMASA there debt from shipping companies indebted them and my position is very clear.

NIMASA is a federal agency not Lagos state Agency, 2. Only NIMASA knows her debtor’s from the record books with accounts department and the revenue department.3.the names of the companies should be made opened the public.4.the terms of agreement should be made public.In conclusion the entire issue boils down to fraud,it is only in Lagos state that it is pronounce,the Agency should publish debtor’s through marine notice and go after them no third party .

He also called on stakeholders to wake up with positive intentions in a bid to position the industry adding that maritime sector is already in comatose.