The House of Representatives has given its backing to indigenous vessel operators to fully participate in the country's coastal and inland shipping business.
On Tuesday in Abuja, lawmakers approved the amendment of the "Bill for an Act to Amend the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5, 2003 to Restrict the Use of Foreign Vessels in Domestic, Coastal and Inland Commercial Activities,
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to Promote the Development of Indigenous Tonnage and Establish a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund;
and for Related Matters."
It means that indigenous operators can now fully run the sector and compete favourably.
Tuesday's plenary of the House was chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, in the absence of the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Members in the Committee of the Whole, considered and approved the report on the bill, which was laid before them by the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.
The bill now awaits the Third Reading at a later legislative day.
The House also approved the reports on five other bills, getting them set for third reading as well.
They were, "A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of a Specialized National Dermatology Hospital, Garkida and Management Board for the Hospital, provide Dermatological Treatment, Research and Training; and for Related Matters (HB.1382)"; "A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Commission for Colleges of Education Act, Cap. N 17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Commission for Colleges of Education Bill; and for Related Matters"; "A Bill for an Act
to Establish Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Kankia, and to make Comprehensive Provisions for Management and Administration of the University; and for Related Matters (HB. 1641)"; "A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Rano, Kano State; and for Related Matters (HB. 1083)"; and "A Bill for an Act to Provide Legal Framework to Upgrade the General Hospital Onitsha to Federal Medical Centre Onitsha, and for Related Matters."
| Reps approve amendment of Cabotage Act, back participation of indigenous operators in inland, coastal shipping |
Source: Federal House of Representatives
