The House of Representatives has accepted to restrict activities of foreign vessels in Nigerian maritime domain.
This is following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration which recommended the restriction of foreign vessels in engaging in inland and domestic economic activities in Nigeria.
The report was presented before the House plenary by the Chairman of the committee, Lynda Ikpeazu.
It specifically seeks to “Restrict the Use of Foreign Vessels in Domestic, Coastal and Inland Commercial Activities, to Promote the Development of Indigenous Tonnage” and other related matters.
The report reads, “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration on a Bill for an Act to Amend the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5, 2003 to Restrict the Use of Foreign Vessels in Domestic, Coastal and Inland Commercial Activities, to Promote the Development of Indigenous Tonnage and Establish a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund; and for Related Matters (HB. 778) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 22/11/2022)”.
Giving a synopsis of the report, Ikpeazu said, the Bill seeks to restrict operations of commercial activities inland and coastal shipping (Cabotage) to domestic vessels as well as promote and develop indigenous capacity to thrive within the maritime sector of the nation.
It’s recommendations were based on the Bill which seeks for an Act to Amend the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5, 2003.
