By Evelyn Affia
A Bill for a law to provide for regulation of Maritime Sector Operations, fixed offshore oil/gas production facilities (platforms), registration for the purpose of generating internal revenue and other matters connected therewith has scale through second reading on the floor of the house during Thursday sitting.
Leading the debate on the bill, the lead sponsor, Rt. Hon Usoro Akpanusoh said the bill was a bold step that would enhance and further improve the State Government revenue monthly through registration and issuance of operational permits and plying levies daily and also provide employment for the youths.
“The Maritime Sector Operations seeks to cause all the Maritime Companies providing marine logistics support services to open and operate their offices with the state. This will create employment for the youths and the economic multipliers affects on the immediate environment is high”.
“The state would be bound to prevent and control all forms of marine related pollution from any source within her territorial waters and will earn revenue from marine companies and oil companies discharging ballast waters and spill into our waters”.
Continuing, Hon Akpanusoh who represents Esit Eket/ Ibeno State Constituency, said the bill if passed, would enable the state have a maritime data bank for easy control and management of her territorial waters/exclusive economic zone without conflicts.
“The Bill will enable the state to create a maritime data bank that will be updated periodically for the purpose of control/ surveillance and security monitoring.
“It will enable the state government to manage her territorial waters/exclusive economic zone without conflicts with the international and national maritime laws (IMO and NIMASA) respectively”
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He stressed further that would be bound to promote the development and transfer of Marine Technology which basically lacking in the state.
Giving his opinion on the bill, Rt Hon Friday Iwok appreciated the sponsor of the bill adding that at the moment the maritime sectors in the state is not regulated but an all free comers affair.
He noted that the Bill when passed will boost the revenue of state considering the present dwindling economy through creation of jobs opportunities and will also help to checkmate piracy.
“Akwa Ibom will benefit from this bill because it will boost the revenue generation of the state and create employment for our teeming youths”.
Also speaking on the bill Rt Hon Ime Oko said the bill shall go a long way to improve the finances of government by improving the internally generated revenue and urged his colleagues to support the bill.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Onofiok Luke thanked Hon Akpanusoh for sponsoring the bill and leaving up to the expectations of his people.
The bill was therefore referred to committee on Petroleum, works and transport, economic and environment for further action.
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