Reps urge FG to halt ban on use of 200 horse power boats

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of ban on use of 200 horse power outboard engines in the Niger Delta region.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Julius Pondi (Burutu-PDP).

Moving the motion, Pondi said the ban was imposed without considering that some areas were completely surrounded by water.

He said that the use of speed boats were the only means of transportation to and from some communities.

“Since the ban was announced, operators and other stakeholders in the marine transport sub sector have come with strident outcries.

“They complain that the policy has deprived thousands of people in the sub-sector and their dependents of their means of livelihood.

“A downside of the ban is that while it seeks to curtail insecurity, it is also laden with other variants of insecurity because when people are made to travel in sluggish moving boats, they become vulnerable to robberies and kidnapping by sea pirates,’’ Pondi said.

He argued that the claim that the 200 horse power outboard engine is difficult to track down was not founded on any empirical or altruistic reasons.

“Rather it is a clear demonstration of high–handedness by some state actors who want to shield what seems to be a state of helplessness in charting a more humane policy options with minimal adverse consequences on the people,’’ he said.

The lawmaker called on the Federal Government to initiate the process of registration of all 200 horse power outboard engines.

He stressed the need to carry out proper documentation, profiling and monitoring of the owners and operators of such boats.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara mandated the Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration to ensure implementation and report back within four weeks.