Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the push for the enactment of controversial Nigeria Coast Guard Bill has again hit another brick wall, as the National Security Adviser; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has firmly rejected the proposal, citing security concerns.
Our correspondent learnt that, the latest development emanated from the position of the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA) on the bill, which was recently subjected to public hearing at the National Assembly.
Proponents of the controversial bill had argued that a specialized coast guard would offer a focused legal framework and operational effectiveness far beyond that of the existing naval structures.
The push to establish a Nigerian Coast Guard had gained traction again on Thursday, December 5, 2024, when stakeholders gathered at the National Assembly for a public hearing on the Nigerian Coast Guard (Establishment) Bill, 2024.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC-Lagos), aims to establish a dedicated agency under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, tasked with ensuring maritime safety, environmental protection, and enforcing civil maritime laws.
Speaking at the hearing, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, emphasized the critical role the proposed Coast Guard would play in securing Nigeria’s vast maritime domain. He described the initiative as a transformative step towards bolstering the nation’s maritime economy and safeguarding its waterways.
Among those backing the bill were: Olisa Agbakoba, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association and a maritime lawyer, Ade Dosunmu, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), Jean Anishere, a Maritime lawyer representing the Nigerian Bar Association; and Ekwerre U. Ekwerre (Rtd), a former Flag Officer Commanding the Navy’s Training Command.
Further findings by Shipping Position Daily reveal that five more maritime security groups had joined the Provisional Nigerian Coast Guard ‘group’
The groups are Redzone Marine, Maritime Safety and Security Initiative, Anti-conflict Agency, Marine Safety and Rescue Agency, and Marine Coastal Security. This brings the total number of the security groups to 15, following 10 others that fused into the provisional agency during its first edition of the harmonisation ceremony on March 8, 2024.
The Secretary General of the Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria (MESAN), Captain Alfred Oniye who is one of the frontliners of the Bill on his social media handles last week, had confirmed the ‘death’ of the bill.
He however argued that dismissing the Coast Guard Bill is a short-sighted decision stating that the bill’s legal, strategic, and economic advantages are essential for enhancing Nigeria’s maritime security and development.
Captain Oniye further called on the National Security Adviser, Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association to reassess their positions and support the passage of the Coast Guard Bill for the greater good of Nigeria’s maritime security and development.
“Rejecting the Nigeria Coast Guard Bill is short-sighted and fails to consider the long-term benefits of establishing a dedicated maritime security agency. The National Security Adviser, Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association must reconsider their positions and support the passage of the Coast Guard Bill ” he pleaded.
On his part, the Vice President of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers & Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engr. Wale George stressed the importance of having maritime experts lead the charge. He argued that while the bill’s intentions are commendable, its failure to secure the backing of seasoned maritime professionals has hindered its progress.
George urged that the bill should be championed by credible maritime custodians, specifically naming groups such as Nigerian Master Mariners, the Society of Engineers, and the Nigerian Merchant Navy.
The Merchant Navy Boss concluded by urging the government to organize and establish a framework where experienced maritime professionals ideally those with international exposure, lead the initiative, ensuring that the Coast Guard Bill can effectively secure Nigeria’s maritime interests
“Those who are going to Abuja to defend it, they don’t have an understanding of what they are defending. When the right people defend it; those who know what it is, who knows the Pros and Cons of Coast Guard, if those people are there, it will sail through. How can somebody who has not sailed before, and is the one sponsoring the bill, let the professionals be the ones behind it? Then it will be a welcome development” George said.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao condemned the repeated rejection of the Nigeria Coast Guard Bill lamenting that this marks about the third or fourth time the proposal has been turned down.
While challenging the Nigerian Navy’s claims that they could handle the responsibilities on their own, Captain Alao stressed the importance of creating a specialized Coast Guard to ensure a robust presence on Nigeria’s inland waterways, a role he believes is critical to national security.
“It is quite unfortunate. I feel that if it (coast guard) is in operation, it will really help. This will be about the third or fourth time it has been rejected. So, if the National Security Adviser does not buy into it, then it is dead on arrival. He is claiming security reasons.
“If the Navy says they can do the job, I put it to them that they cannot do the job. At least it would have kept them engaged instead of just sitting down and doing nothing. So, we really need to establish the Coast Guard than what we have now, so that our presence on the inland waterways is felt” Captain Alao argued.
