Cabotage Act Amendment Bill Passes Second Reading

A bill for an Act to amend the Cabotage Act of 2003, Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage), has scaled through the second reading at the House of Representatives.

The bill seeks to expand jurisdiction to all off-shore operators in the Nigerian coastal and inland waters.

Cabotage refers to sailing along a coast, navigation and trade in coastal waters, but adds the right of a country to restrict its airspace.

The bill also seeks to reserve domestic coastal trade or cabotage trade within Nigerian coastal and inland waters to vessels built and registered in Nigeria, wholly owned and manned by Nigerian citizens.

Foreign-owned vessels and companies are, however, allowed to participate in Cabotage trade within Nigerian waters, subject to obtaining a waiver and or licence from the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Leading debate on the merits of the bill, Rep. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (PDP-Enugu), said the proposed legislation would provide employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as generate revenues for the country.

Ugwuanyi, who is the Chairman House Committee on Marine Transport, said the passage of the bill would expand jurisdiction on cabotage to all off-shore operators.

Rep. Nnenna Ukeje (PDP–Abia) said the passage of the bill was important to the oil and gas sector of the economy.

“The proposed legislation will also encourage indigenous companies to grow.’’

She said the bill captured three of the legislative agendas of the Seventh House of Representatives.

Reps. Asita Honourable (PDP-Rivers), Chairman Local Content, and Rep. Fort Dike (PDP-Anambra), also supported the bill, stressing that it signified great benefits to Nigerians.

The lawmakers said the essence of the amendment was to grow the economy of the country.

The Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, referred it to the Committees on Marine Transport and Justice for further legislative inputs.

Meanwhile, the House considered a bill for an Act to ensure full integration of Nigerians with disability into the society, and to establish a National Commission for Persons with Disability.