Lawyer to Fishermen in Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of Watch Out Fishermen Cooperative Society, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the State, Ogunbiyi Oluwajuwon (Esq) has threatened to sue the State government over its attempt to commence enforcement of marine safety regulations.
Oluwajuwon said the State government lacked regulatory power on maritime sector, as it falls within the Exclusive legislative list, adding that only the Federal Government through the National Assembly, has such power.
Recall that the State government had in a memo, with registration number, MOTSM/S/157/178 tagged “Commencement of Marine Safety regulations and enforcement in Akwa Ibom State,” addressed to the group, announced its plan to commence enforcement of marine safety regulations in the local government councils of the State.
The letter noted that the state government would also enforce the biometric registration of boats, vessels, re-organisations of waterfront, as well as beach operation.
But, Oluwajuwon in a swift reaction, described the State government’s position as illegal and urged it to desist from such action, saying that there was nothing as Biometric registration of boats or vessel anywhere in the world, as biometric only relates to human beings.
In a letter addressed to the permanent secretary of the ministry, Otuekong Nse Edem, and copied to Governor Udom Emmanuel, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, the State Attorney General, Barr Uko Udom and commissioner of Police in the State, Andrew Amiengheme, the lawyer said such action by the State government was nothing less than extortion, which is a crime under the law.
The lawyer, who noted that any attempt by the State government to regulate the maritime sector amounts to usurping the power of the Federal Government and her agencies, warned the State government against contacting his clients forthwith over the issue or risk legal battle.
