Reps back creation of centre to control proliferation of small arms

The House of Representatives is to consider creating a centre for the coordination, control and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

This followed the recommendation of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence as a measure to help advance the war against insecurity within communities and the larger society.

Shaaban Sharada (APC-Kano) presented the bill in Abuja on Wednesday, titled “Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Nigerian Centre for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria”.

He said the bill was introduced in 2019 and referred to the Committee on National Security and Intelligence Pursuant to Order 12 Rule 2 after the second reading.

The committee held a public hearing on September 27, 2021, and memoranda and inputs received from the various stakeholders were subjected to further technical analysis.

He said the committee’s report was laid on the floor of the House on July 21.

Mr Sharada said ECOWAS member states considered the proliferation of small arms and light weapons to constitute a major threat to peace and stability within member states.

He said they were concerned at the flow of small arms and light weapons into West Africa and recognised the need to control arms transfers.

“In light of this, member states agreed to the articles contained in Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons.”

He said the bill sought to establish a National Institutional framework to implement the provisions of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons 2006.

Mr Sharada said the bill would go a long way to promote and ensure the coordination of concrete measures for effectively controlling Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the country. 

(NAN)