{"id":126383,"date":"2026-03-31T18:58:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=126383"},"modified":"2026-03-31T18:58:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:58:28","slug":"reps-query-nimasas-n724bn-2026-budget-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/reps-query-nimasas-n724bn-2026-budget-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Reps Query NIMASA\u2019s N724bn 2026 Budget Proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
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The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has queried the 2026 budget proposal of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which projects a revenue target of N724 billion.<\/div>\n
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Lawmakers raised concerns over transparency, performance benchmarks, and the timing of the proposal, warning that weak accountability and opacity would no longer be tolerated.<\/div>\n
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Chairman of the Committee, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, made the position known during the agency\u2019s budget defence session, stressing that heads of agencies must take full responsibility for their projections, plans, and performance outcomes.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis is not just a routine exercise,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is a critical accountability test. Heads of agencies must take ownership of their projections and be ready to defend their performance.\u201d<\/div>\n
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While acknowledging the strategic role of NIMASA in safeguarding Nigeria\u2019s territorial waters and facilitating maritime trade, Abba-Ibrahim insisted that commendation must be backed by measurable outcomes.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe recognise the importance of NIMASA, but commendation alone is not enough. There must be clear, measurable results that justify every allocation,\u201d she stated.<\/div>\n
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She added that the session provided an opportunity for the agency to clearly outline its 2026 roadmap and address key concerns.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis engagement should address pressing issues, maritime insecurity, capacity development, and operational efficiency. Nigerians expect to see impact,\u201d she said.<\/div>\n
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The committee also demanded detailed, data-driven submissions covering maritime safety programmes, human capital development, revenue optimisation strategies, and the status of ongoing and proposed capital projects.<\/div>\n
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Describing the maritime sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria\u2019s economy, the lawmakers emphasised that every budgetary allocation must translate into tangible value.<\/div>\n
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\u201cEvery naira appropriated must deliver value, strengthening security, boosting indigenous shipping capacity, and driving sustainable economic growth,\u201d Abba-Ibrahim added.<\/div>\n
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The committee reaffirmed its readiness to support reforms aimed at repositioning the sector but warned that future approvals would depend strictly on transparency, performance, and impact.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are ready to support reforms, but let it be clear, future approvals will be tied to performance, transparency, and verifiable results,\u201d she said.<\/div>\n
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Defending the proposal, Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, said the agency has commenced full automation of its operations and revenue collection systems in 2025 following approval by the Federal Executive Council.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe have begun full automation of our operations and revenue collection systems. This is a major step towards blocking leakages and improving efficiency,\u201d Mobereola said.<\/div>\n
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He explained that the initiative is driven by the MOKOSA platform, designed to ensure transparency in revenue remittance.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are not just digitising operations; we are securing revenue and enforcing accountability across the board,\u201d he added.<\/div>\n
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On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Mobereola disclosed that the scheme was relaunched in January and has already attracted about 60 applications from indigenous shipping firms.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe CVFF has been restructured with a stricter, bank-driven framework. Financial institutions will assess risks and guarantee repayment before disbursement. This ensures discipline and sustainability,\u201d he explained.<\/div>\n
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He added that efforts to empower local shipowners would gain momentum under the new structure.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are committed to supporting indigenous operators with access to vessels and critical materials. This reform will drive real growth in the sector,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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Mobereola also highlighted Nigeria\u2019s return to the council of the International Maritime Organization after 14 years, describing it as a strategic milestone.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis development strengthens Nigeria\u2019s voice in global maritime policymaking and positions us better internationally,\u201d he noted.<\/div>\n
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Despite the assurances, some lawmakers questioned the timing of the 2026 budget proposal.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is difficult to consider a new budget without a comprehensive review of the 2025 performance. We need to see what has been achieved before approving new projections,\u201d one lawmaker said<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n