The Nigeria Coast Guard Corps (NCGC) has called on the Federal Government to legalise its operations to police Nigeria’s waterways and synergise with other security agencies to combat crimes in the country.
The Commandant-General, NCGC, Sea Admiral Idaminabo Idaminabo, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
He said NCGC is envisioned to enhance maritime security, enforce maritime laws, ensure the security of Nigeria’s waterways, play a pivotal role in combating maritime crimes, safeguard maritime interests as well as generate revenue and contribute to national security.
According to Idaminabo, the NCGC is proposed to among others engage in search and rescue operations by providing timely and efficient search and rescue services by saving lives and properties and also be involved in environmental protection by combating marine pollution and participate in disaster management.
“The establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard Corps as part of the Nigeria Armed Forces is a strategy necessity for enhancing maritime security, protecting national interests and ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria’s waterways. Through dedicated operations, legal enforcement, and inter-agency collaboration, the NCGC will significantly contribute to combating maritime crimes and fostering a secure maritime environment.
“Nigeria’s extensive coastland inland waterways are vital for the country’s economy, security, and livelihood of millions of Nigerians. However, these waters are increasingly threatened by piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and environmental degradation. The existing security frame work has been stretched thin in addressing these challenges effectively. Therefore, the establishment of the NCGC is proposed to provide a specialized focus on maritime security and law enforcement. Due to the absence of Coast Guards, Nigeria, between 2017 and 2022 has lost about N32 trillion in revenue,” the Commandant General said.
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The Director, Defence Operations, Nze Nze, said the NCGC will ensure a coordinated approach to maritime security through inter-agency collaboration with the other security agencies. According to him, efforts are on to get legislative backing at the National Assembly through a sponsored bill.
“It is obvious that we need a legal framework to carry out the functions. We can’t just be functioning like a side street group like that because what we are doing is not anyhow thing. We must have to give it a legal backing and that is the reason we are coming to this extent.
“Let the whole world, let the nation know about it and see reasons from this angle. We are not coming to compete with the Nigerian Navy. We are here in Nigeria. Nigeria is a coastal country. We have other nations where they have their Defence Navy and they have their Coast Guards. It’s just like the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police, their works vary. Nigerian Army defend the territory integrity of the country while the Police do their work within the regions.”
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