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The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba, has hailed the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his determined leadership in pushing for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard through the legislative framework in the 10th National Assembly.
In a statement issued recently in Abuja by the PC-NCG’s Director of Public Affairs and Information, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Capt. Ichaba praised the Minister’s relentless efforts and strategic engagement with stakeholders, noting that the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard will significantly strengthen maritime safety and security.
Capt. Ichaba emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among maritime agencies to curb the rising number of boat accidents across Nigeria’s waterways.
He said the proposed Coast Guard would be better positioned to enforce marine safety standards and save lives and property once legally established.
He noted that the facilitating team behind the Nigerian Coast Guard initiative remains committed to working closely with the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy and other critical actors to ensure that the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill is passed before the end of the current National Assembly’s tenure.
Meanwhile, the PC-NCG Chief warned the public to be cautious of fraudulent individuals and criminal groups falsely claiming to represent the Nigerian Coast Guard.
He stressed that the Coast Guard is not yet operational and that all security agencies have been alerted to clamp down on such illegal activities.
He urged Nigerians to report any individuals or groups claiming to be part of the Provisional or Proposed Nigerian Coast Guard to the nearest police station or directly to the PC-NCG for immediate investigation.
Captain Ichaba also commended the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, who chairs the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria, for recommending the creation of a Coast Guard in the committee’s final report.
According to Ichaba, the inclusion of the Coast Guard establishment in the report aligns perfectly with the minister’s strategic vision and legislative push, adding that the eventual recruitment and deployment of Coast Guard personnel would play a crucial role in tackling both criminality and safety concerns on Nigerian waters.
He further proposed the formulation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise approved vessel types and reduce substandard operations on the water. This, he noted, should be accompanied by mandatory certification and professional training for all boat operators.
In addition, Captain Ichaba called for increased funding to NIWA to improve hydrographic research, engineering capabilities, and the setting up of search-and-rescue stations across high-risk inland waterways in response to recurring maritime incidents.
The PC-NCG Chief acknowledged recent interventions by the Ministry, especially the nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities, describing the initiative as timely and impactful for grassroots water safety.
It will be recalled that while receiving the Special Committee’s report, Minister Oyetola stressed that the Nigerian Navy alone cannot secure the waterways and that a dedicated Coast Guard is urgently needed to complement the Navy’s efforts.
He assured that the report would guide immediate and long-term policy reforms for safer waterways.
