|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Chief Executive Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Capt. Noah Ichaba, has urged governors of Nigeria’s littoral states to rally behind the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and other stakeholders in pushing for the speedy passage of the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill before the 10th National Assembly.
Congratulating Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on his emergence as pioneer chairman of the International Coastal Border Platform, Capt. Ichaba commended Bayelsa for being the first state to establish a Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy.
He stressed that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard would be pivotal in enhancing maritime safety, security, search and rescue operations, environmental protection, and enforcement of maritime laws.
The PC-NCG Chief Executive also lauded Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for hosting the inaugural International Coastal Border Forum summit in Uyo.
According to him, Nigeria’s 853-kilometer coastline and over 10,000 kilometers of inland waterways could be better protected by a dedicated coast guard working in line with global best practices and in collaboration with existing security agencies.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by PC-NCG’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Capt. Ichaba posited that establishing a coast guard could unlock huge economic opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and marine services, while boosting environmental stewardship.
He noted that the objectives of the Nigerian International Coastal Border Forum align with the vision of the proposed Coast Guard both seeking to strengthen maritime security and foster sustainable blue economy growth in Nigeria’s coastal regions.
“Both initiatives aim to tackle piracy, smuggling, and environmental degradation, which undermine coastal communities and the emerging blue economy sector,” Capt. Ichaba said.
He explained that the Coastal Border Platform brings together all coastal states to harmonize maritime laws, enhance community surveillance, and improve intelligence sharing.
The proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, championed by Minister Oyetola, would complement the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies by deploying a dedicated force to police the nation’s coastline and inland waterways.
At its maiden meeting in Uyo, the International Coastal Border Forum issued a communique calling for a percentage of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports to be dedicated to coastal security funding.
It also urged the harmonization of maritime laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, for more effective enforcement.
The forum further recommended intensified public awareness campaigns on maritime safety and compliance with both national and international regulations and also encouraged Nigeria to leverage the African Integrated Border Governance Strategy and the African Continental Free Trade Zone to boost cross-border trade among coastal communities and neighbouring nations.
The Uyo summit featured high-level paper presentations from the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (represented by Rear Admiral D.M. Ndanusa), the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu Adaji, and legal scholar Professor Enefiok Essien, SAN, among others.
