Coast Guard Invoice will improve ports safety — Stakeholders

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector have expressed sturdy assist for the Coast Guard Invoice presently earlier than the Nationwide Meeting, describing it as a vital step in enhancing the federal authorities’s efforts to safe the nation’s maritime area.

In a latest assertion, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company said that the remarks got here throughout a public listening to convened by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to debate the proposed invoice for the institution of the Nigeria Coast Guard. Varied specialists and business leaders provided their views, with the bulk endorsing the creation of the Nationwide Coast Guard.

A few of the notable figures who expressed their assist for the invoice embrace Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, former Director-Common of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company (NIMASA), Mrs. Jean Anishere, representing the Nigeria Bar Affiliation, and Rear Admiral Ekwerre U. Ekwerre, former Flag Officer Commanding the Nigerian Navy’s Coaching Command.

Dr. Agbakoba, who described the Invoice as well timed, confused the significance {of professional} enter to handle some considerations inside the draft, providing his help within the course of. He expressed confidence within the Invoice’s potential however urged cautious examination to make sure that it meets the maritime sector’s wants.

Dr. Dosunmu additionally provided his full backing for the Invoice, suggesting a transparent division of duties between the Nigerian Navy and the proposed Coast Guard.

He advisable that the Navy deal with blue-water operations and nationwide defence in opposition to exterior threats, whereas the Coast Guard think about addressing maritime crimes and incidents alongside Nigeria’s in depth 855-kilometre shoreline with extra specialised and adaptable assets.

He cited India, Singapore, China, america, Japan, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates as profitable maritime nations which have clearly outlined roles for his or her navies and coast guards.

Dosunmu cautioned in opposition to assigning duties equivalent to hydrography and oceanographic analysis to the Coast Guard, as different businesses already deal with these duties. He warned that including such capabilities to the Coast Guard’s mandate might distract from its main deal with maritime safety.

Whereas voicing her assist for the Invoice, Mrs. Anishere raised considerations about sure ambiguities within the draft and referred to as for additional clarification and refinement of particular provisions earlier than the invoice could possibly be enacted.

Addressing considerations raised by the Nigerian Navy, retired Rear Admiral Ekwerre Ekwerre urged the Navy to focus on defence and army operations, together with showcasing naval energy and conducting diplomatic missions inside Nigeria’s territorial waters and Unique Financial Zone. He emphasised that the Coast Guard ought to deal with imposing maritime legal guidelines inside the nation’s inland waters.

In conclusion, whereas stakeholders had been overwhelming of their assist of the institution of the Nigeria Coast Guard, they referred to as for cautious consideration and refinement of the Invoice’s provisions to make sure that it’s clear, efficient, and able to delivering the supposed outcomes for maritime safety in Nigeria.