Fishing Export To Suffer Setbacks , As FG Slams Fresh Multiple Levies On Trawler Owners

 

By Roland Ekama

Indications have emerged that more trawler owners may halt fishery activities following government flip flop policies surrounding the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for business to thrive.

DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA gathered that new levies have been introduced by the government on fishing companies.

It was gathered that a total of 21 fishing companies have been in existence between 1980 to 2000 but multiple taxation reduced the figure to a paltry five as at 2024.

With the new levies introduced recently, trawler owners have continued to expressed frustration despite the high cost diesel and other expenses.

According to insider sources, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have introduced new levies for operators to pay .

The agencies are considering to allegedly seal up fishing companies that failed to comply with the new level while jetty permit will be suspended.

They told DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA that the fishing sub sector is on the verge of collapsible, which in turn will affect export of fishes , mass job loss and revenue lull.

According to them, the two agencies from the Marine and Blue Economy have introduced “Jetties and Offshore platform levy to be paid by the operators.

Though the monies payable cannot be ascertained as at press time but there are strong indications that the multiple taxations run into millions of Naira and Kobo.

Impeccable sources told our correspondent that more fishing companies have indicated interest to invest into the sector but with the new levies imposition on trawler companies, cost of doing business will skyrocket again leading to scarcity of seafood and other aquatic edibles.

Findings revealed that the five existing companies , namely Karflex, ORC, Barnarly, Seabless and Atlantic Shrimpers have been struggling to break even in the last five years due to the running cost and levies paid to government annually.

 

Recall that Trawler owners called on the federal government to grant waivers on Customs duty for the importation of vessels spare parts into the country.

They pleaded for the removal from implementation of the Cabotage Act.