Buhari Explains Why He Can’t Give Assent to National Transport Commission
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday gave reasons why he cannot give assent to the National Transport Commission Bill 2018 and the Federal Roads Authority (Establishment) Bill 2018 .
This was contained in a letter delivered to the National Assembly which was read by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at plenary session.
The two bills were earlier passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to the President for his assent.
The President explained that the Federal Roads Authority (Establishment) Bill if assented will usurp the powers of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing as well as make the entire technical workforce of the Ministry redundant..
In the case of the NTC, he explained that some aspects of the Bill had to do with safety regulations which will be a duplication of functions in the transport sector.
Part of the letter read out at the National Assembly reads: “Safety regulatory provisions enshrined in some sections of the bill which are technical in nature fall within the purview of central legislation implemented by agencies like NIMASA (Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), NPA (Nigeria Ports Authority and therefore should be expunged from the bill.
“Two, the percentage of the amount to be retained by the agency from royalties collected under section 19 (2)(d) should be reduced from 10 to five percent.
“Section 12 (9)(2)(d) stipulates that a portion of the proceeds from royalties collected by the authority empowered to collect royalties from transport service providers should not exceed 10 per cent which is collected by service providers and concessionaires.
“Three, section 19 (2)(f) which stipulates charge of three per cent freight tariff stabilisation fee on all imports and exports out of Nigeria including wet and dry cargoes should be amended and reduced from three per cent to one per cent.
“This is what is currently contained in the Nigerian Shippers Council legislation” .
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