The Provisionary Committee of the Proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PCNCG) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to issue an Executive Order, to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard (NCG) pending the passage of its Establishment Bill before the Senate.
The call was made by the chairman of PCNCG, Noah Ichaba, at a press conference organised by the group in Abuja on Sunday.
Ichaba, who said the call became necessary given the place of the Coast Guard in the Nigeria’s maritime domain, added that the country was losing its fair share of revenues at the nation’s seaports with the absence of Coast Guard as obtainable in other climes.
He pointed out that the Nigerian Coast Guard if established, will enforce maritime laws, generate revenue, create jobs, promote economic wellbeing, maritime security, aggregate peace and international prestige.
The PCNCG chairman noted that all has not been well with the way and manner in which the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and some private companies have held the country under “their armpit” for decades, as they continue to discharge the duties that are legitimately meant to be carried out by government-owned Coast Guard.
“Passing the Bill into law is one action that would bring quality attention to policy matters, concentration on basic steps of doing the needful, enhanced fiscal and financial discipline, abrogation of wastages, blocking of leakages and elimination of rivalries,” Ichaba stated.
He denied any possible duplication of functions with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) if established, saying the Nigerian Coast Guard will actually complement and enhance the operations of the Customs Service and other agencies in the maritime sector.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill 2021 passed the second reading stage in the Senate in November 2021 and current awaiting a public hearing where relevant stakeholders are expected to make inputs for or against the establishment of the proposed security agency.
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