House Demands Accountability From Maritime Agency

The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has warned that weak budget performance and lack of transparency by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, will no longer be tolerated.

The committee issued the warning during NIMASA’s 2026 budget defence session, where lawmakers and the agency agreed on the need for clearer performance targets and stronger accountability.

Chairman of the Committee, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim said agency heads must take direct responsibility for their plans, projections and outcomes, describing the exercise as a critical test of accountability.

“This session is an opportunity for the agency to clearly outline its 2026 roadmap and address key concerns, including maritime insecurity, capacity development and operational efficiency,” she said.

Lawmakers demanded detailed, data-driven submissions covering safety programmes, human capital development, revenue strategies and the status of capital projects.

Abba-Ibrahim described the maritime sector as central to Nigeria’s economy, warning that budget allocations must deliver measurable results in security, local shipping capacity and economic growth.

The committee said future approvals would depend on performance, transparency and impact, although it pledged support for reforms aimed at strengthening the sector.

NIMASA Director-General Dayo Mobereola told lawmakers that the agency began full automation of its operations and revenue collection systems in 2025 after approval by the Federal Executive Council.

He said the MOKOSA platform was introduced to eliminate revenue leakages and ensure transparency in remittances.
“We are not just digitising operations — we are securing revenue and enforcing accountability,” Mobereola said.

On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, he said the scheme was relaunched in January and had received about 60 applications from local shipping firms.

Mobereola added that a bank-driven framework had been introduced to ensure proper risk assessment and repayment before disbursement.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s return to the council of the International Maritime Organization after 14 years, describing it as a strategic gain.

However, some lawmakers questioned the timing of the 2026 budget presentation, noting the absence of a full review of the agency’s 2025 performance.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji