As Jamoh Hints On Review of SPOMO Act

DG NIMASA, Jean Anishere,  flanked by the  Legislators

In furtherance of its resolve to ensure that Nigeria makes the most of her Blue Economy potentials, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has met with members of the National Assembly, NASS, to draw attention to legislative lacunas needing urgent amendments and reviews if the Blue Economy resources are to be fully harnessed.

Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG NIMASA

Speaking during an interactive session with the House of Representative Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Bashir Jamoh said the time has come to amend some sections of the NIMASA Act and other relevant laws to bring good governance to bear on maximizing the Blue Economy potentials even as he hinted on the need to review the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offenses SPOMO, Act.

The House Committee chaired by Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim came prepared for the engagement with NIMASA even as legal luminaries were invited to highlight relevant sections of the NIMASA Act most needful of urgent review.

Making a presentation to the legislators at the session, Barrister Jean Anishere, SAN, emphasized the need to have relevant laws and legislative backing for the Blue Economy to succeed.

According to Anishere   “A well-defined legal framework will play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development within Nigeria’s blue economy as it provides the necessary structure for effective governance and resource management”.

“Such well-defined framework ensures clear guidelines for sustainable practices, environmental protection and equitable distribution of benefits”.

“In my view, there should be a provision of a one-stop department that conglomerates representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIWA, NAFDAC, SON, and other relevant bodies” Anishere said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while lamenting the near non-implementation of the Cabotage Act since 2003 also called on the law makers to look at the issue of funding for the Blue Economy.

“How do we harness the Blue Economy when we do not have a national line, Anishere queried.

She therefore tasked the House Committee members to do the needful in collaboration with their counterparts in the Senate in order to fully tap the abundant resources in Nigerian waters.

Hon. Alphonsus Uduak Odudoh, Deputy Chairman of the committee who led the House delegation assured stakeholders of their preparedness to do all within their powers for the Blue Economy to be impactful.

“We have been briefed on the obsolete laws and the need for review and urgent amendment of the provisions cannot be overemphasized. This engagement with NIMASA has been most rewarding to us and I want to assure all stakeholders that we shall do all that is required for the Blue Economy to become the main stay of the Nigerian economy”

“We commend the DG NIMASA for his efforts and we encourage him to continue to strive and not be distracted. His passion, energy and commitment since the creation of the Ministry of Blue Economy has been a source of motivation and a driving force in harvesting the Blue Economy potentials. We urge him not to rest until the vision of Mr. President in establishing the Ministry is fully realized”