Essential Ndubuisi
Zenith Labour Party Candidate for Njikoka, Anaocha and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Hon Barr. Val Ayika has stated that it takes the concerted effort of the three arms of government to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
In a program on AIT News monitored by Daily News Reporters, the former House of Representatives member revealed that the increase in small arms and light weapons is a result of the continued crisis in Nigeria.
Ayika said the first step in curbing the increase should be the enactment of the law. Which should immediately be followed by its implementation.
“It takes the National Assembly to make a good legal framework, and it takes the executive to implement it”, Said Ayika.
He also called for an accompanying punishment for offenders as there is none currently.
“Let the National Assembly enact the bill. It is now for the Executive to implement it. And there should also be laid down procedure of how people who are caught with it should be punished”, Ayika Said.
Addressing the issue of Non-State Actors in possession of heavy weapons, Ayika said the bill also covers them.
“If you are not authorized by any law to possess light weapons, you can not equally be authorized to possess heavy weapons”
He further questioned the office of the National Security Adviser which the proposed commission will be domiciled.
He stressed that there is a need to search for the needed capacity, pedigree, antecedents, and past performance. Only a person with proven capacity should man such an office.
“Give the person such a position; you will see that what you think is not possible will be very much possible”, He Added.
Daily News Reporters
