Coast Guard: Provisional Committee Seeks Coastal States’ Backing

 BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Capt Noah Ichaba has called on Nigeria’s littoral state governors to throw their weights behind the efforts of the Hon. Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and other stakeholders to push for the speedy passage of the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill before the 10th National Assembly.

Capt. Ichaba, fecilitating with the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on his emergence as the pioneer chairman of the International Coastal Border Platform also applauded Bayelsa for being the first state to create a Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy in the country, saying that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, when established, will go a long way in enhancing maritime safety and security, including search and rescue operations, environmental protection, and enforcement of maritime laws.

Capt. Ichaba also praised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for playing host to the inaugural summit of the International Coastal Border Forum in Uyo, noting that security and safety of Nigeria’s 853-kilometer coastline and 10,000 kilometers of inland waterways, could be better handled by the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard in line with global best practices, and in collaboration with sister agencies where necessary.

PC-NCG Director of Public Affairs & Communications, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo in a statement issued on Monday and made available to our reporter, explained that by establishing a coast guard, Nigeria could unlock significant economic potential in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and other marine services while promoting environmental stewardship.

The statement notes that the objectives of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Forum squarely aligns with the vision of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, sharing a common goal of enhancing maritime security and promoting sustainable blue growth and development in Nigeria’s coastal regions.

“Both initiatives aim to address maritime security challenges, such as piracy, smuggling, and environmental degradation, which threaten Nigeria’s coastal communities and the emerging blue economy sector. The Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform comprises all coastal states with a focus on harmonizing maritime laws, enhancing community surveillance, and promoting intelligence sharing.

“The Nigerian Coast Guard establishment, being championed by the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, when established, would complement the efforts of sister maritime security agencies by providing dedicated security force to police Nigeria’s coastline.

“The PC-NCG is working towards establishing a robust Nigerian Coast Guard that would work in tandem with existing security agencies, such as the Nigerian Navy, to secure the country’s waterways,” Capt. Ichaba said.

The statement note that the International Coastal Border Forum at its maiden meeting in Uyo issued a communiqué outlining its decisions including demand for a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports to be dedicated to coastal security funding. The forum wants Nigerian laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, to be harmonised for more efficiency in implementation.

It advocated the creation of more awareness on maritime safety and security to foster a culture of compliance with national and international laws. It further recommended that Nigeria take advantage of the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to boost cross-border trade between coastal communities and neighbouring countries.

The statement further noted that the summit featured paper presentations by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who was represented by Rear Admiral D.M Ndanusa; the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji; the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo and Professor of Law, Enefiok Essien, SAN; and others.