In line with its restructuring programme, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to automate its payment system for greater efficiency and eliminate revenue leakages.

This is contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communication Team in NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).on Sunday in Lagos.

According to the statement, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, hosted representatives of major shipping companies in Nigeria under the aegis of the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) in his office.

Peterside said that the payment system was being reviewed to ensure efficiency.

He assured the delegation that NIMASA would institute more transparent ways of calculating the three per cent levy charged on all inbound and outbound cargoes.

“We are automating our payment platform in line with our strategic growth plan to ensure greater efficiency in the payment process.

“The new process will be integrated with similar platforms of sister agencies in order to correctly ascertain levies chargeable per freight and eliminate the bottlenecks currently being experienced,” the director-general said.

Peterside said the agency’s commitment to the elimination of piracy and other criminal activities on the waterways was unwavering.

He said that the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser would soon launch a high capacity satellite system which would assist the military in dealing with maritime crimes.

Peterside also urged the shipping companies to support the NIMASA’s capacity building programme by providing sea time experience for cadets sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

Representatives of the shipping companies, who had earlier raised the issue of maritime security and payment procedures, also commended the director-general for his commitment in dealing with the issues raised.

The association expressed members’ commitment to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

The association promised to support the capacity building initiatives of NIMASA by providing the requisite sea time experience for the NSDP cadets,

Some of the shipping companies represented at the meeting include; Grimaldi, Maersk, GAC, Hull Blyth, Mediterranean, PIL and Comet Shipping. (NAN)

•Photo shows Dakuku Peterside.