• Receives Executive Bill
The National Assembly has received an executive bill which seeks to expand Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone (EEC). Called “Bill for establishment Maritime Zone”, the new bill if passed into law will repeal the current Exclusive Economic Zone Act and the Territorial Waters Act.
Shipping Position Weekly confirmed that the bill has already passed second reading and has been referred to the marine transport committees of the two chambers and that a public hearing is expected to come up within the next two weeks.
If passed into law, the new bill will extend Nigeria’s exclusive economic and extend the nation’s maritime zones in line with the declarations of the United Nations.
A source close to the National Assembly confirmed last week that the executive bill is already being attended to by the two chambers even though he expressed ignorance as to why the bill is coming at this time in the calendar of the current legislature.
It will also allow the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to have more jurisdictions, especially over more oil sector facilities.
“Cabotage activities involve movement of cargoes from point to point within our excusive economic zone. That means that the law will have an effect on Cabotage jurisdiction, especially with regards to some of these offshore activities”, our source explained.
Shipping Position Weekly also confirms that the lawmakers are uncomfortable that the bill is coming at a time when so many issues bordering on safety on the nation’s waters are been discussed.
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