The Member representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, has made a case against the persisting insecurity bedeviling the waterways of Akwa Ibom State and Niger Delta Region of the Country.
The Federal lawmaker intimated the 10th House of Representatives of the evil orchestrated by Pirates through a sole sponsored Motion brought under Order 8 Rule 4 of the House Standing Orders, during Wednesday’s 12th July, 2023 plenary, presided over by the speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, at the green Chambers of the National Assembly, Abuja.
Justifying his call in the motion titled “NEED TO INCREASE MARITIME SECURITY PERSONNEL IN COASTAL AREAS OF AKWA IBOM STATE”, Odudoh stressed on the need to safeguard the Country’s waterways from pirates, positing that in the maritime sector lies encompassing opportunities, capable of advancing the fortunes of the Nation’s economy.
He equally recounted the negative impacts associated with pirates’ activities. submitting that incessant attacks by these elements have caused the inhabitants of the coastal Areas who are predominantly farmers and engaged mainly in subsistent and commercial fishing to live under constant fear.
Odudoh also expressed worried that due to the operation of sea robbers, fishermen in the coastal areas who are bent on exploring the Atlantic ocean are forced to pay royalties to pirates before they are allowed access to the sea, or risk having their fishing equipments vandalized, as well as their lives.
Similarly, he opined that, given the place of pipeline vandalism which according to him is unconnected with Pirates’ activities, inhabitants of these agrarian areas can no longer farm on their farm lands, owing to environmental degradation occasioned by oil spillages.
The Essene born Legislator categorically mentioned the affected Coastal Areas in the state to include: Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, Ibeno, Mbo, Oron, Okobo, Udung Uko, Urue-Offong/Oruko Local Government Areas, with waterways of Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas interconnected with that of other Communities in the Niger Delta Region, such as Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The motion being the first registered by the parliamentarian, was referred to relevant House committee, hence, expected to proffer lasting solution to the rocking insecurity challenges on the waterways of Niger Delta Region.
The Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Representative prayed the House through the Motion to among other resolutions, urged the security agencies of the Federal Government to deploy more maritime security personnel and adequately equip them to secure the coastal areas in Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta in general; urged the security agencies to provide incentives for deployed maritime security personnel in order to motivate and encourage them to uphold their agencies’ rule of engagement.
