Navy, Other Stakeholders Reject Coast Guard Bill, Urge Strengthening of Existing Marine Agencies

The Nigerian Navy, two members of the National Assembly and a coalition of civil society groups, were among those who opposed the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard.

The Senate Committee on Marine Transport had slated November 7 for the public hearing on the Bill, but was shifted due to the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The bill sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC, Lagos), has the overriding intent to enact legislation that seeks to make the Nigerian Coast Guard a full-fledged military service and a branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, to be domiciled under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

At the public hearing held in the National Assembly Library, on Thursday, the Nigerian Navy  objected to the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard.

They  cited duplication of functions, security threats, incoherent crafting of the Bills, resource constraints, economic imperatives of nature, amongst others.

The Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, represented the Chief of Naval Staff.

He took his time to analyse both Nigeria’s maritime security needs and global best practices, with huge global examples of consolidated maritime security frameworks.

“United Kingdom does not have a Coast Guard with military powers similar to those being proposed in this bill.

“Rather, the Royal Navy is responsible for military defence and maritime security operations, including facial protection, and this is quoted from the House of Commons briefing paper of 2020.

“On the other hand, the UK Coast Guard, is under the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, which manages search and rescue and Occupational Safety.

“Given Nigeria’s more regional maritime focus and resource constraints, creating a similar structure will lead to redundant functions and stretch limited resources.”

Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, said Nigeria was living on borrowed funds, adding that it was improper to take loan and establish a new agency.

Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Philip Agbese, said  Nigeria needed to strengthen the existing marine agencies  and institutions to function to maximum, instead of creating irrelevant agencies, whose duties are already being performed by others.

Various Speakers, including, Dr. Emeka Akabogu, Honorary Secretary of Nigerian Maritime Law Association; Rear Admiral Chris Ezekobe (Rtd.); and Igwe Ude Umanta, who spoke on behalf of coalition of other 10 Civil Society Groups; all rejected the establishment of Nigeria Coast Guard, urging the Senate to drop the Bill.

Sunday Aborisade

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