The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is facing a daunting challenge in the implementation of its new Act following the refusal of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Railway Commission (NRC) to remit a percentage of their revenue to the bureau, it has been revealed.
The NSIB stated that the development is impacting on its operation as a multimodal transportation agency.
Daily Trust reports that the NSIB was formerly known as the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in charge of investigating accidents and incidents in aviation.
However, the mandate of the bureau was expanded to cover all modes of transportation including water transportation and the railway.
The NSIB Establishment Act of 2022 stipulates that NIMASA should remit 3% of the 3% gross freight from international cargo, while the NRC is required to contribute 5% of ticket sales and cargo charges.
Part 5 (2) of the Act stipulates that the NSIB would collect "The 3% of the gross freight of all international inbound and outbound cargo from ships or shipping companies operating in Nigeria collected and paid over to the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ; and 5% of ticket sales of rail passengers and cargo charges."
Two years after the new NSIB Act took effect, neither the NIMASA nor the NRC had remitted any money to the bureau.
Speaking in Lagos last week during the commissioning of the Lagos office, Director-General of the bureau, Capt. Alex Badeh jnr, said, "We continue to face significant challenges in fulfilling our mandate, notably securing the necessary funding to support our operations. The non-compliance with the NSIB Establishment Act of 2022 by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Railway Commission (NRC) in remitting the statutorily required percentages of their revenue to NSIB has severely impacted our ability to conduct comprehensive multi-modal accident investigations."
According to him, the financial shortfall not only limits "Our operational capabilities but also hinders our growth and effectiveness in safeguarding Nigerian lives.
"We implore the federal government to further support the critical role the NSIB plays in ensuring the safety and security of our nation's transportation networks. The value of human life and the importance of public safety cannot be overstated. We earnestly appeal for increased financial support to enable us to effectively fulfil our mandate, conduct thorough investigations, enhance safety standards, and contribute meaningfully to advancing transportation safety across Nigeria," he added.
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NIMASA, NRC react
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of NIMASA, Edward Osagie, said the agency's Act is very clear.
"Under the act establishing NIMASA, 5% of its annual income is allotted to support the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), while 35% of income is to be used to develop maritime infrastructure," he added.
The agency also provided funding to MAN for a jetty and boat project.
This is contrary to the claims by the Director General of NSIB, Capt Alex Badeh(Jnr) who said the non-compliance with the NSIB Establishment Act of 2022 by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has severely impacted the bureau's ability to conduct comprehensive multi-modal accident investigation in the country.
There was no official comment yet from the NRC but a source told our correspondent that the NSIB Act is in conflict with the Railway Act.
