FG Mulls NIMASA, NPA Revenue Collections In Naira

Efforts are underway by the federal government to compel the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA to collect their revenue in Naira.

The Special Adviser to the President On Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga made this known on Wednesday while speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Onanuga said the plan is part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the national currency.

As part of the plan, the presidential spokesman said, the administration is proposing a bill, the Economic Stabilisation Bill, ESB  to the National Assembly.

The development, according to the maritime stakeholders, align with their agitation for years that the two key agencies in the sector should be made to collect their revenues in naira.

If this is done, it will reduce the pressure on naira arising from its fluctuations against major currencies such as the American Dollars and Pound Sterling, according to stakeholders who spoke on the issue.

Apart from NIMASA and NPA not a few Nigerians have objected some local and foreign business organisations for charging dollars for their services.

This, analysts say, is predominant among foreign-owned educational institutions. .

Onanuga however explained that the bill, if passed, will force the NPA and NIMASA to shift from collecting fees, charges, levies, and fines exclusively in dollars to using an applicable naira exchange rate.

He affirms the administration’s readiness to strengthen the local currency. i

“The second part of the bill covers the operation laws guiding NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority. The amendment will ensure that all their fees, charges, levies, fines, and other accruals are now paid in naira at the applicable exchange rate

“Previously, these agencies charged in dollars, but now they can collect in naira.

“This affirms that the government is prioritising our national currency. It’s no longer necessary to make payments in dollars; the government is saying pay in naira,” he said.