Stakeholders at a one day public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee have supported the bill for an act to allow Nigeria domesticate the ECOWAS protocol to counter the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The bill proposes establishment of a centre to promote the removal of arms from society through the collection, storage, destruction, management and stockpiling of small arms and light weapons.
Speedy Consideration of all Security Related Bills
Speaker of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila at the event reiterated the House of Representatives’ Commitment to the speedy consideration of all security related bills that would make Nigeria more secure in line with the 9th House Legislative Agenda.
Mr. Gbajabiamila represented by the Deputy House Leader, Mr. Peter Akpatason stressed the need for more collaboration with other stakeholders to achieve the desired objectives.
Mr. Akpatason said “The proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Nigeria and West Africa posed a systematic threat to the country’s long-term socio-economic development.”
The Chairman of the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements, Dr. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, from Delta State said the bill was to give legal effect to Nigeria on the control of small arms and light weapons in the country.
“The African Union (AU) in pursuance of its commitment to implement the United Nations Programme of Action of July, 2001, adopted the 2013 ‘African Union Strategy on the Control of Illicit Proliferation, circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons’ to strengthen coordination and cooperation between and among all implementing bodies.
“The overall objective of the strategy is to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons in an integrated and holistic manner across all regions of Africa.” Dr. Ossai explained.
Representatives of the Arm Forces, the Police, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defence, Human Rights Commission and the Importers Association of Nigeria all supported the bill, but observed that the roles given to the proposed centre in the ECOWAS Protocol contained in the bill, duplicate the roles in another bill proposing the establishment of a National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons before the House.
However, it is believed that domesticating the ECOWAS Convention would reduce if not eliminate the proliferation of small arms and light weapons believed to constitute a major threat to peace and stability within ECOWAS member States.
Another Bill
Though another bill with similar intent is being considered by the House of Representatives, it is believed that it will go a long way in controlling the manufacture of small arms and light weapons by monitoring and regulating the activities of the local arms manufacturers and importers.
This will be through constant registration of small arms and light weapons and arms used in peacekeeping operations, updating the register of small arms and light weapons before transmitting same to ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, as well as establishing programmes of action to prevent; combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Confidence Okwuchi
