The introduction of Nigerian Coast Guard Bill which was introduced, laid and scaled through first reading in the Senate within the week has triggered excitement among the proponents, who are of the firm belief that it is going to be another landmark achievement for the nation after its legislative processes.
In a statement issued by Captain Noah Ichaba and made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja on Friday, he conveyed the appreciation of the Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, (PC-NCG), to the distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their willingness to legislate the Nigerian Coast Guard bill into law.
Ichaba said, the bill which was finally laid on the floor of the Senate was a demonstration of patriotism and a commitment to the wellbeing of the nation which Nigeria stands to gain more from the maritime activities like any other nation across the world that have a well structured Coast Guards.
He said: “The Provisionary Committee dutifully appreciate the Distinguished Senate President, the Principal Officers, the Chairmen of Senate Committees, the Chief sponsor/Co-sponsors of Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill SB. 575 of 2024 and all workers as well as Legislatives Aides who made the 1st Reading of the Bill a smooth sailing historic action.
PC-NCG’s appreciation stems from a number of reasons of: the fruition of the unbiased sacrifice of PC-NCG for the best interest of the country; the preparedness of the Parliament to actively accelerate necessary legislative action of officially enacting Nigerian Coast Guard into legal existence.
“This is an awakened era of bringing a bothersome situation and an eclipsing shadow to a permanent end.
“The realization that Nigeria needs a recognized occupational Coast Guard Agency that would be responsible for the safety and security of ships, cargoes, crews, seafarers, passengers, ports, port facilities, port workers, port users and maritime law enforcement, that would ensure measures to prevent and obstruct security-related incidents that may cause damage to Nigeria’s Maritime Business Activities.
“The revenue generation, protection of maritime environment and prevention of criminalities, which is the central concerns of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and in building upon SOLAS convention chapter XI-2 by developing International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
“Coast Guard is the appropriate Government Agency referred to as Maritime Guardians or Watch keeping, without, which, Nigeria’s Maritime Industry cannot function optimally successful, advantageously and operationally as it would remain the true flesh, blood, spirit and soul of Nigeria’s Maritime Trade and Commerce;
“The historic singularization of the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill 2024 by NILDS; the usefulness and nature of the incoming Agency as a Maritime Law Enforcement among other core duties, functions and services, to the nation cannot be overemphasized, as no other Agency is best recognized by the occupational name of Coast Guard that would be well suited to put into effect the provisions of ISPS Code, as prescribed safety and security duty of Securing the commercial and operational activities of the maritime business.
“It is the Agency to be called upon for responsibility and accountability, and that qualifies for Maritime Law Enforcement. The fact that the proposed Agency is not coming as a gluttonous consumer but a patriotic contributor to the nation’s economy and her maritime security architecture and it is not an Agency that would be on a conflict for control of duty with any other Government Establishment but of fulfilling the destiny of the largest economy in Africa and of steadily increasing her national fortunes and interests;
The statement further spotlighted on the benefits of having existence of the Nigerian Coast Guard as saying: “The Agency’s targeted Direct Workforce would comprise diverse specialties from Maritime Security Experts, Ex-Boys, Ex-Servicemen, Graduates of Maritime Academies, Seafarers, Transferees, Secondees, Exchanges, Ratings, Skilled Creek men and other qualified, available and willing Nigerians;
“There is over 900 identified real worksites where the prospective workforces of Nigerian Coast Guard would be employed and deployed to. This is great plus for Government efforts towards creating millions of direct and indirect jobs;
“As a revenue generating Agency, capable of generating Billions of Dollars yearly, it is not going to be a burden on Government finances, but a contributor to the financial healthiness of Nigeria.
“As PC-NCG appreciates Senate’s patriotic action, it is important to inform the public that there is only one Nigeria, one National Assembly, one Coast Guard, one Establishment Bill and one Facilitation Team for the actualization of taking the nation to her excelling height and destiny.
“Given that therefore, any individual found impersonating PC-NCG with anything relating to the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, as means of identification, without the endorsement of the CE and AO of the PC-NCG or which cannot be confirmed from our records, such a person be made to answer questions that diligent law enforcement Agents may put to them.
“PC-NCG remain eternally grateful to the Distinguished Senators, for this Legislative move, Parliamentary gesture and Representational courtesy, aimed at establishing the Nigerian Coast Guard. I hereby perform this refreshing duty of transmitting PC-NCG appreciation to the Senate, the Chief Sponsor/Co-sponsors and all stakeholders, our sincere gratitude.
“This represent our noble, endearing, thoughtful and remarkable credit and honour to the 10 th Assembly, because, the establishment of Nigerian Coast Guard; would, indeed, do the nation, maritime industry, stakeholders and African Continent endless good”, Ichaba concluded.
