Monarch seeks FG’s recognition for Merchant Navy`

The traditional ruler of Galadimawa, Garki in Abuja, Alhaji Musa Barde, on Friday urged the Federal Government to offer recognition to the Nigerian Merchant Navy to complement security at the country’s seaports.

He said the recognition will tighten security at the seaports and also create employment for the youth, thereby, preventing them from engaging in criminal activities.

This came as the monarch donated an office to the organisation in Abuja, for its smooth operations.

Barde, while speaking when a delegation of the organisation, led by Chief of Nigerian Merchant Navy, Commodore Ichukwu Agaba, paid him a courtesy visit at his palace, said the outfit which had been operating as a volunteer security will be a veritable outfit to further safeguard the maritime sector.

“The Nigerian Merchant Navy, also called Coastal Defence Force, is a very important security organisation in our nation’s security sector.

“Personally, I read the background and operations of this organisation and have seen that as a nation, we need them in this challenge of insecurity in our country.

“It is imperative the government considers them and officially make them part of the security system because they will help in safeguarding our territorial waters from the grip of criminals and external aggressors,” he said.

Speaking, Agaba, said the corps will complement the current effort of security agencies for a secured territorial integrity.