Delta State Manufacture and Use of Cotonou Boats Law, 2022

DELTA STATE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF COTONOU BOATS LAW, 2022

1. Short Title. This Law may be cited as the Delta State Manufacture and Use of Cotonou Boats Law, 2022 and shall commence six months after Governor’s Assent.

2. Interpretation. In this Law, unless the context otherwise requires: "Cotonou Boats" includes any vessel whether operated electronically or manually Which is used as a means of waterway transportation within Delta State; "Commissioner" means the Commissioner in charge of the Directorate Transport, Delta State; "Directorate" means Directorate of Transport, Delta State; "Government" means the Delta State Government; "Chief Magistrate?s Court" means a Chief Magistrate?s Court in Delta; "License" means an authority to manufacture or operate Cotonou Boats issued by the Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Transport or any Officer of the Directorate authorized to issue same; "Manufacturer" means any person engaged in the building, construction, production or making in parts or in whole of Cotonou Boats; "Operator" means any person in the use of Cotonou Boats either for business or private use; "State" means Delta State of Nigeria.

3. Registration/ License. (1) All Manufacturers and Operators or Users of Cotonou Boats shall be registered with the Directorate. (2) In addition to the requirement of registration in subsection (1) of this Section all Manufacturers and Operators of Cotonou Boats shall obtain a license to manufacture or operate same from the Commissioner. (3) The Applicant for a License to Manufacture or operate Cotonou Boats under this Law shall state his detailed personal information including his Kill name, address and any other relevant information as may be required by the Commissioner in the consideration of the application; Provided that such personal information shall be verified by the Officers of the Directorate and a report thereon.

4. Manufacture or Operation of Cotonou Boats Without License. It Shall be an offence for any person to manufacture or operate Cotonou Boats in the State without license issued by the Commissioner.

5. Punishment. (1) Any person who manufactures or otherwise engages in the manufacturing of Cotonou Boats without a license shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years or a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) or both. (2) Any person who operates or otherwise engages in the use of Cotonou Boats without a license shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years or a fine of (One Million Naira) or both.

6. Jurisdiction. The Chief Magistrate’s Court shall have jurisdiction to try offences under this Law.

7. Rates Chargeable for Lisenses / Renewal. The Commissioner shall have powers to determine the rates chargeable for issuance and renewal of licenses under this Law, subject to the approval of the Governor.

8. Duration of License. Any license issued in accordance with the provisions of this Law shall be valid for a period of one year and may be renewed by the holder.

9. Confiscation of Unlisensed Cotonou Boat. Any Cotonou Boat operated without a license shall be liable to be confiscated by the Directorate of Transport.