Maritime
THE Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) on Friday renewed the call for a dedicated Coast Guard to strengthen maritime security and economic protection.
In a statement, PC-NCG Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Noah Ichaba, described the coast guard as the missing link in Nigeria’s maritime governance structure.
He said a coast guard would unify maritime safety, security, enforcement and economic protection under a coordinated operational framework.
According to Ichaba, the agency will support anti-smuggling operations, curb illegal fishing, enhance vessel inspections and improve compliance enforcement.
He added that a centralised coast guard would boost rapid response to piracy, oil theft, sea robbery and kidnapping on Nigeria’s waterways.
The PC-NCG boss noted that fragmented responsibilities among multiple agencies have created operational gaps and weakened maritime enforcement.
He said Nigeria’s 850-kilometre coastline, major seaports and offshore energy assets required a dedicated institution to coordinate maritime operations.
Ichaba stressed that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s international trade moves through its maritime domain, making effective governance essential.
He noted that coastal communities, fishermen, port operators and shipping firms continued to bear the costs of insecurity, delays and environmental threats.
According to him, a coast guard will integrate search and rescue, pollution control, fisheries monitoring, port security and marine law enforcement.
He maintained that establishing the agency would strengthen national sovereignty and improve efficiency across the blue economy sector.
He reaffirmed the PC-NCG commitment to working with the National Assembly and key maritime stakeholders to develop a legal framework for the proposed agency.
Ichaba said Nigeria cannot fully unlock opportunities in blue trade, investment and employment without a unified maritime security architecture.
“The ocean is Nigeria’s next economic frontier, and the time to bridge the maritime governance gap is now,” he stated. (NAN)
F.O
Tags: Guard maritime security