Government fast tracks bill against sea pirates, illegal trade

Determined to ensure optimum safety, the Federal Government is concluding plans to put in place a new law to curtail the activities of illegal shippers and sea pirates on Nigerian nation’s waters.
  
The bill on ‘Suppression of Piracy and other unlawful Acts at Sea,’ is currently with the executive arm of government waiting to be transmitted to the legislative chambers for proper processing into law.

The move became imperative as Nigeria is often accused of not exploiting the full potential of its water resources, while the developed countries are seen to be doing a better job.

Dogara argued that African countries needed to do much more to use their God given resources to feed their people, fight poverty and develop efficient ports and effectively administer the waters of the seas.

“We can create high paying jobs for our teeming youths, develop an efficient transportation system, and exploit efficiently the oil and gas resources and other minerals contained in the deep seas and oceans of Africa. Nigeria is potentially a major maritime power considering the depth and breadth of our Exclusive Economic Zone, and Territorial waters, and can efficiently and effectively make sustainable use of the oceans and seas,” he said.
  
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, for his emergence as the President, Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).

Peterside takes over from Sobantu Tilayi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the South African Maritime and Safety Agency (SAMSA), who has been the acting Chair of the association since 2013.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement expressed the President’s enthusiasm with the new AAMA leadership.He described the election of Peterside as the chairman of the continental body for the next one year, as a confirmation that the country has the human capital required to make Nigeria a leading maritime nation.
  
He said: “Peterside’s unanimous election is not only a personal honour and an affirmation of confidence in his ability to lead AAMA, but also places Nigeria in a pivotal position to rally other maritime administrations in collaboration with the IMO towards safer global maritime activities.