Maritime Security Facelift: Buhari Signs Anti-Piracy Law

By Kenneth Jukpor

In what can be described as a breakthrough in Nigeria’s war against piracy and other crimes on the nation’s territorial waters, President Mohammadu Buhari has signed the Anti-Piracy bill.

 

According to the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the Anti-Piracy law would give NIMASA the legal backing to combat maritime crime and piracy.

 

The problem of piracy on Nigerian waters has seen the nation suffer massive economic losses as Nigeria has been placed in the War Risk Zone by the Lloyds of London, the leading global shipping insurance body.

 

Consequently, foreign ships coming into the country have been mandated to pay high insurance premiums and Extra War Risk charges.

 

Buhari reportedly signed the Anti-Piracy bill, as well as the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) bill into law since 24th June, 2019.

 

Both bills were championed by the Executive Director Finance and Administration at NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who is also the National President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, (CIoTA).

 

The anti-piracy bill had been highlighted by NIMASA and most maritime industry experts as a very important document in the fight against piracy and other crimes on Nigerian waterways.

 

Meanwhile, in a press statement issued by Mr. Nnamdi Eronini, National Secretary of CIoTA, he said the CIoTA Act confers responsibility for advancing the study, training and practice of Transport management and administration, and for related matters on the institute.

 

Eronini also noted that with the development CIoTA becomes the prime & pioneer Chartered body to regulate all aspects of transport, all ancillary (related) areas of transport.

 

“This is historic and monumental. It is a massive boost for the transport industry in Nigeria” he said.