Optimism as Saraki Assures on Passage NTC Bill Soon
GBEMISOLA SARAKI
By Francis Ugwoke
The Minister of State for Transport, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, weekend gave a strong indication that all hope is not lost on the passage of the National Transport Commission (NTC) into law.
The NTC bill suffered setback few years ago when the President declined to give his accent when it was forwarded to him by the National Assembly.
But speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday, Saraki said his Ministry is working towards the passage of the bill into law.
She disclosed that the President could not give accent to the bill due to technical issues that are being addressed.
She described the technical issues as minor which have been taken care of, dismissing earlier speculations that the bill was dead and buried.
According to her, the bill will be passed in the next few months.
She said, ” Perhaps you don’t know that my humble self worked on that bill at the National Assembly, it was not signed but it has made its way back to the National Assembly to be tidied up and it will be done with within the next few months.
“Every sector has to have it’s policy given direction, to define where the industry is headed and I think National Transport Commission (NTC) is a given.”
The Minister had also given a firm promise on the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipping community.
Saraki said her Ministry will work with the National Assembly for the disbursement of the fund which value is now put at $350million.
She described as disheartening and national shame the fact that the disbursement has taken this long since the passage of the Cabotage Shipping law in 2003.
CVFF replaced the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund (SASBF) which was suspended following default in the repayment of loans by some indigenous shipowners who were beneficiaries.
She said the fund remains intact contrary to speculations that it may have been misappropriated.
She gave insight on the current stage of the disbursement efforts, adding that guidelines for the exercise have been set for presentation to the National Assembly for final approval.
She assured that the Ministry has the political will to disburse the fund.
She told newsmen, “It is really very disheartening that the fund has not been disbursed but we will work with the National Assembly to ensure its disbursement; just watch, it has to be disbursed, especially with the coming on stream of the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA. In the course of this visit, I have also interacted with so many stakeholders including the indigenous ship owners. I know the number of vessels that Nigerians had 10 years ago and I know how many they have now.
“It is really a shame that this fund has not been disbursed, I learnt the value is $350million now and I am not sure any part of it is missing. We will work with the National Assembly to pass the guidelines. It is not really about the Federal Ministry of Finance but I think it is more of the political will to disburse it and I think we have the political will to do so”.
The Minister of State for Transport, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, weekend gave a strong indication that all hope is not lost on the passage of the National Transport Commission (NTC) into law.
The NTC bill suffered setback few years ago when the President declined to give his accent when it was forwarded to him by the National Assembly.
But speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday, Saraki said his Ministry is working towards the passage of the bill into law.
She disclosed that the President could not give accent to the bill due to technical issues that are being addressed.
She described the technical issues as minor which have been taken care of, dismissing earlier speculations that the bill was dead and buried.
According to her, the bill will be passed in the next few months.
She said, ” Perhaps you don’t know that my humble self worked on that bill at the National Assembly, it was not signed but it has made its way back to the National Assembly to be tidied up and it will be done with within the next few months.
“Every sector has to have it’s policy given direction, to define where the industry is headed and I think National Transport Commission (NTC) is a given.”
The Minister had also given a firm promise on the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to indigenous shipping community.
Saraki said her Ministry will work with the National Assembly for the disbursement of the fund which value is now put at $350million.
She described as disheartening and national shame the fact that the disbursement has taken this long since the passage of the Cabotage Shipping law in 2003.
CVFF replaced the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund (SASBF) which was suspended following default in the repayment of loans by some indigenous shipowners who were beneficiaries.
She said the fund remains intact contrary to speculations that it may have been misappropriated.
She gave insight on the current stage of the disbursement efforts, adding that guidelines for the exercise have been set for presentation to the National Assembly for final approval.
She assured that the Ministry has the political will to disburse the fund.
She told newsmen, “It is really very disheartening that the fund has not been disbursed but we will work with the National Assembly to ensure its disbursement; just watch, it has to be disbursed, especially with the coming on stream of the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA. In the course of this visit, I have also interacted with so many stakeholders including the indigenous ship owners. I know the number of vessels that Nigerians had 10 years ago and I know how many they have now.
“It is really a shame that this fund has not been disbursed, I learnt the value is $350million now and I am not sure any part of it is missing. We will work with the National Assembly to pass the guidelines. It is not really about the Federal Ministry of Finance but I think it is more of the political will to disburse it and I think we have the political will to do so”.
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