By GODWIN ORITSE

FOLLOWING the incessant attacks of vessels on Nigeria’s waters, the Nigerian   Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has proposed a draft bill on Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts at Sea aimed at combating piracy  and robbery.

Disclosing this  to stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,  NIMASA’s  Director General, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi,  said the bill is expected to provide legal backing to the fight against piracy and other crimes at  sea with a view to curbing  the financial losses  which, according to him, are in excess of $3 billion every year.

Akpobolokemi, who was represented by the agency’s  Legal Adviser, Mr. Matthew Egbadon, said the bill entails the review of the UNCLOS 1982 and the SUA 1988 conventions and protocols as they relate to piracy.

He said: “NIMASA, being the focal point for the implementation of relevant maritime conventions on safety and security in Nigeria, engaged Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN) to articulate and produce a comprehensive maritime security bill.”

He called on  stakeholders to make  contributions to the bill before it is  sent to the National Assembly.