By Ekunkonye Junior, Abuja
The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba, has commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his tireless efforts in driving the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard through the ongoing legislative processes in the 10th National Assembly.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Public Affairs and Information, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Capt. Ichaba emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among relevant maritime agencies in the fight against incessant boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways, informing that when eventually established, the Nigerian Coast Guard would be in a better position to enforce marine safety standards to save lives and property on waterways.
According to the PC-NCG leader, the facilitating team for the establishment of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard would continue to work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy and other critical stakeholders to actualise the passage of the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill before the 10th National Assembly.
Capt. Ichaba therefore called on members of the public to be weary of illegal and criminal activities by some unscrupulous groups parading as Nigerian Coast Guard, informing that all security agencies have been alerted about such fraudulent individuals.
He further appealed to the public to report any person or group of persons who claim to be officers of either Provisional Nigerian Coast Guard or proposed Nigerian Coast Guard to the nearest police station or the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of PC-NCG.
Capt. Ichaba, also applauded the chairman of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji for recommending the establishment of a Coast Guard in the Special Committee’s report.
He reiterated that the inclusion of the establishment of a Nigerian Coast Guard agency to enforce waterways regulations in the Committee’s report resonates with the ministers drive for the speedy passage of the bill before the10th NationalAssembly, pointing out that subsequent recruitment and deployment of officers and men of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard when established would go a long way in curbing the incessant boat mishaps and criminal activities on our waterways.
The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer further noted that formulation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types and the implementation of mandatory certification and training for boat operators would minimise incidents of boat mishaps, pointing out that an increased funding for NIWA would enable it to improve hydrographic and engineering capacity and deployment of search and rescue stations across critical inland waterways, given the frequent marine related incidents along the nation’s waterways.
The PC-NCG Chief acknowledged notable strides made by the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy within the short period in office, describing the recent nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as a step in the right direction.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while receiving the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria maintained that: “The Nigerian Navy can’t safeguard waterways alone”, adding that the time was ripe for Nigeria to conclude action on Coast Guard establishment for deployment of its personnel to complement Nigeria Navy’s efforts along the waterways.
“This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required,” the minister maintained.
