- Anishere identifies areas for evaluation in existing laws
The House of Representatives has assured prompt review of existing laws governing the nation’s marine and blue economy sector, with emphasis on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act and Fisheries Act, in a bid to optimize the huge potentials for the socio-economic development.
Nigerian legislators under the House of Reps Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, gave this promise when they held a workshop with NIMASA, on Friday, in Lagos.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Uduak Odudoh assured Nigerians that the committee and by extension the National Assembly is committed to developing laws that would expedite the growth of blue economy.
His words: “As a committee we are going back to do meetings with the documents that have been presented. We have discovered a lot today from the workshop but we intend to do it again to enable us fully capture what to do as legislators for the maritime administration, safety and education.”
“We are now aware of some laws that are obsolete as well as those developed by the previous assembly but yet to be assented by the president. Maritime is a broad field and we intend to have sub-committees within our fold by assigning roles to everyone. This committee is embedded with men of proven integrity and vast experience like Hon. Wole Oke who has over 20 years experience in the Assembly. We are also going to partner with the Senate to push for the signing of these bills into law.”
Speaking at the conference, the Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners, Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN) outlined the legal requirements to enable Nigeria harness its marine and blue economy potentials.
Anishere pointed out the need to review the NIMASA Act, noting that the agency is still accountable to the Transportation Minister according to the Act despite the creation of a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The learned silk also stressed that fisheries and aquaculture forms an essential part of blue economy, but lamented that the Fisheries Act is in a dire need of review.
Her words: “There is no law protecting illegal fisheries or imported fisheries in our laws because it is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and such a Ministry does not exist. We need to review the Fisheries Act. Again, in the Fisheries Act, it is stated that where the owner of a craft has failed to license his craft, such owner will be punished by a fined of N500 or 6months imprisonment. The ridiculousity of this act is the fact that 6months imprisonment is commensurate to N500. This Act was established in 1967”
“There should be a provision of a one stop department that conglomerates representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Ministry of Transportation, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and other connected regulatory agencies/bodies towards implementing lawful, cohesive and effective exploitation of marine resources.”
She equally asserted that Nigeria needs to have a national Blue Economy Policy or strategy that outlines the government’s vision for sustainable ocean resource management and development.
In his presentation, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, explained the organizational structure of the agency and its deliverables under the 3S tripod representing – Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Shipping Development.
Jamoh stressed the need for an enabling legal environment as he explained the linkages between blue economy and industries like oil and gas, financial sector, hospitality, engineering, mining, waterway transportation, among others that dovetail into national development.
He rolled out maritime security stats in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea which showed a significant decline in piracy and other maritime crimes since the implementation of Deep Blue project and heightened partnership with Nigerian Navy as well as other regional and international partners.
“Effective implementation of the Deep Blue Project contributed to reduction in the piracy cases with only one piracy case as at May 2022. There were 6 cases in 2021 and 35 incidents in 2020 and in 2019 respectively. Nigeria recorded zero cases in second half of 2022 and throughout 2023,” the NIMASA boss said.
