The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to investigate recurring cases of piracy and robbery on the Bonny waterway.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion under urgent public importance in line with Order 8 Rule 4 of the House Standing Order, sponsored by Randolph Brown.
In his lead debate, Brown accused Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of non-performance in the discharge of its statutory functions especially on the Bonny waterways.
He also decried the rising cases of piracy and robbery on the Bonny waterway were carried out without visible efforts by NIMASA to prevent the reoccurrence of such attacks that have even claimed lives.
“From 2017 till date, there has been 24 major attacks by sea pirates resulting in several deaths and loss of goods and personal effects of the passengers aboard and several water related incidences.
“The House further notes that on the 19th November, 2018, there was another boat mishap in my constituency Bonny, one too many and it claimed the lives of three persons, Isaac Fubara Pepple (a fresh graduate), Sonia Ibisa Hart (a student of Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic and a younger sister to Nigerian popular blogger – Inengisa Hart) and Madam Eugenia Fikinigomari, an aged woman”, he lamented.
In the bid to address the challenges, the House urged NIMASA, Marine Police, Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to henceforth live up to expectation by ensuring that there is constant security as well as search and rescue presence on the waterway, with the view to curb these avoidable boat mishaps and concomitant deaths.
To this end, the House mandated the Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration to investigate the matter and report back for further legislative action.
Discussion about this post