A trawler operator, Mrs Margaret Orakwusi, on Thursday lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in ensuring that the Anti-Piracy Bill is passed into law.
Orakwusi, a former president, Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), stated this in Lagos.
She said that the Anti-Piracy law would among other things restore the nation’s status of a maritime business-friendly nation.
Orakwusi said that the activities of sea robbers had denied the sector huge earnings and competent hands.
“We are sick and wary of the harassment of pirates on board ships. It is anti- development for mariners to be at the mercy of the robbers.
“Such crimes, if unchecked will cause scarcity of sea foods in Nigerian markets and loss of jobs by crew members as most of them now dread sailing, ’’ she said.
Orakwusi urged the management of NIMASA to ensure that the salient areas of the bill were retained before being signed into law.
She said that the proposed law would be futile if adequate clauses meant to punish culprits were not implemented.
A former staff of Onward Fishery, Mr Cosmas Onyeatuga, said that it was a laudable proposal for an agency like NIMASA to chart the way forward on piracy.
“I want to see other stakeholders partner with NIMASA to bring piracy to an end,’’ Onyeatuga said.
