Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — A maritime lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Jean Chiazor-Anishere has said that the newly created Marine and Blue Economy has no legal backing before the law adding that this situation could pose a setback for the ministry if the proper legal framework is not put in place.
Speaking to SweetrudeReport, Jean Chiazor-Anishere, said that the absence of a proper legal framework that covers the Marine and Blue Economy could be an hindrance suggesting that the Shipping Bill that was still undergoing legislative process be changed to Marine and Blue Economy Bill.
Anishere also said that the necessary amendments could be made in line with the current dispensation to bring about a Marine and Blue Economy policy.
She stated: “Before this regime, before the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was established, we had actually had town hall meetings and we had actually passed the Shipping and Transport Bill which the House of Representative is trying to push to the President for assent.
“But now that we have the Marine and Blue Economy, I proposed that the Shipping and Transport Bill that is yet to be assented by the President be changed to Marine and Blue Economy as it were and off-course we need to do the necessary amendments therein.”
Anishere also called on the government to implement the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund so as to assist indigenous ship owners to acquire ships and take advantage of the Marine and Blue Economy opportunities.
She advised that the Cabotage Bill be passed into law having gone through the legislative processes of first and second reading.
She stated: “The implementation of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund in terms of actually releasing the funds to the indigenous ship owners to acquire the right vessels that will empower them to advantage of the Cabotge Act which is meant for indigenous ship owners.
“So they need the funds to acquire the relevant crafts, that the amended Cabotage Bill should be passed into law, I am told that it has gone through the first and second reading and it is on the table of the President for his assent.”