At least three shipping companies, acting as collection agents for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), have allegedly colluded with some management staff of the agency to evade the payment of over $79.9 million in revenue, equivalent to over N119 billion (at exchange rate of N1,505) to the federal government, an investigation and analysis of credible documents by the Daily Trust Saturday have revealed.
Our correspondent gathered that the shipping companies are Daddo Maritime Services Limited, Blueseas Maritime Services Nigeria Limited and Divine Marine Shipping Services Limited, which have failed to remit the statutory 3% levies, 2% cabotage surcharge, as well as offshore waste and sea protection levies to the federal government from 2004 to date.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that Daddo Maritime Services was founded in 1981, as the pioneer indigenous ship and tanker agency services provider in Nigeria.
It is owned by a former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is chairman. The outfit is a member of his Daddo Group of companies.
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Blueseas Maritime Services Nigeria Ltd was incorporated on the 22nd of August 2003. Its present CEO/MD is Hon Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State.
Divine Marine Shipping Services Ltd commenced full operations in June 1998, initially operating as an oil shipping agency and then evolving to offer full shipping services.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) search for all three companies came back negative.
However, in 2023, the CAC announced that it has commenced the sticking off the names of companies from the Register of the Companies for failure to comply with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 to file up to date.
