By Bassey Willie
The Nigerian Senate today, Wednesday 5th April, 2017 eulogized the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South senatorial district in the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Nelson Efiong for his foresight in sponsoring a bill for the suppression and punishment for the crime of Sea Piracy in Nigeria, and unanimously passed the bill for a second reading.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary today commended Senator Efiong on his bold relief in painting the picture of the state of Sea robbery crimes and its after effect on the economy of the country.
Senator Ekweremadu praised Senator Efiong, who is also a former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of
Assembly for deeming it fit and timely to sponsor this all important bill, which has scaled through second reading and promised the commitment of the 8th Senate to give the bill accelerated passage in order to protect commuters and those doing business in the Nigeria sea shores.
Over ten Senators who spoke at the floor of the senate described the Sea Piracy Bill by Distinguished Senator Nelson Efiong as very urgent and expedient, especially for the riverine communities in the country.
In his contribution, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, the Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate agreed that the bill, apart from being timely, was also urgent and therefore should be expeditiously passed into law.
Senator James Manager, Bayelsa State (PDP) drew the attention of the Senate to the plights of the people living Brutu, Brass, Limbe, Okpobo and many other riverine communities in Bayelsa State, in the hands of Sea Pirates, expressing hope that when the bill is passed into law, it will ameliorate the security problems faced by the people living in the coastal communities in the country.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio informed the senate that it is unfortunate that Bakassi Peninsula was ceded to Cameroun, explaining that the peninsula is just few minute away from Oron.
Akpabio commended the effort of Senator Nelson Efiong in sponsoring the bill on Sea Piracy, and promised the readiness of the 8th Senate to encourage the bill that will be beneficial to all Nigerians.
Over the years, activities of Sea Piracy has been a major problems for the people living in the coastal communities in the country, especially the residents of Oron in Akwa Ibom State, and its surrounding, it was on this ground that on assumption of office in 2015, Senator Nelson Efiong moved a motion at the floor of the senate that mandated the Chief of Naval Staff to deployed his men for proper surveillance of coastal lines in the country, including Oron- Cameroun and other routes in the area.
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