- New Rivers senators sworn in
Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
The Senate wednesday passed through second reading, a bill seeking to increase the fine for the illegal importation of firearms into the country from N1,000 to N100,000.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) is named a “Bill for an Act to provide for increase of fine and provide for destruction of firearms illegally imported into the country or in possession of individuals without valid license and for other matters connected.â€
The bill, which has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, would also examine current legislation to determine the culpability of shipping agents and firms involved in the illegal importation, to ensure they are held liable.
Dada added that one of the objectives of the bill is to generate revenue for the federal government from recycling and reusing waste materials such as metal, wood and plastic derived from destroyed firearms.
Commenting on the recent seizure of illegally imported firearms by the Nigeria Customs Service, Dada added that the United Nations recently raised the alarm on the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, which are estimated to be put at 350 million.
“We all remembered various firearms seized from repentant Niger Delta militants during the Amnesty period. The question is: Where are these arms? Have they not found their way back on the streets,†he said.
It is expected that a public hearing would be conducted to seek the support of experts, security agencies and the general public in coming up with a thorough legislative strategy to combat the proliferation of weapons in the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers, APC) was wednesday sworn in by the Senate to represent Rivers East senatorial district.
Uchendu replaces Senator George Thompson Sekibo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was removed by the Court of Appeal, which upheld the decision of the election petition tribunal.
