Tina Amanda
The Admiralty Lawyers Society of Nigeria has raised concern over effects of the floods on the maritime sector while calling on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Nigerian Ports Authority to take steps to checkmate the floods from jeopardizing the sea.
President, Admiralty Lawyers Society of Nigeria, Angus Obinna Chukwuka, in an interview with our correspondent, expressed worry, saying that all relevant authorities should be concerned on the safety of ships and cargos across the Nigerian waters.
According to him, it can be seen clearly that the maritime sector is adversely affected by the flooding across the nation.
He said, “As the flood situation worsens in Nigeria and more cities and villages are now ravaged by the floods we call on the tiers of government, federal, state and local and all well meaning organisation to act urgently and in synergy to check the ugly trends.
“Immediate and proper assessment should be carried out, and areas yet unaffected but potential victims .All the inhabitants should be evacuated without further delay.
“We call on the NIMASA and NPA to take steps to checkmate the floods from jeopardizing sea operations and ensuring mitigation of the losses generally occasioned on the movement of cargos and persons at this time.”
Angus called for the establishment of rehabilitation center or refugee unit in an upland area, where both victims and potential victims can be given succour.
He commended the Rivers State government for extending a compassionate hand to the people in the orashi region who suffered the floods menace while urging the government to reach out to people from other areas who have suffered similar or worse fate.
“We reiterate that immediate compensation should be paid to the victims.This flood is really as a result of failure of mainly the government for not being proactive,” Angus added.
