By Amos Odhe.
Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Nigerian Coast Guard Provisionary Committee (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba has praised participants of Senior Executive Course 47 (SEC 47) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for their exceptional presentation and thoughtful policy analysis on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, which was presented to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja recently.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo on Tuesday in Abuja, Capt. Ichaba noted that with the presentation of recommendations blue economy development and opportunities, after a comprehensive study on the subject matter by participants of SEC 47, he highlighted the urgent need for the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard, which its bill is currently before the 10th National Assembly.
Capt. Ichaba, who applauded the Federal Government’s commitment to tapping into Nigeria’s maritime potential, described it as a “positive plan.”
However, he emphasized that intentions alone are not enough, urging the government to take concrete actions to remove obstacles and bridge the gap between plans and outcomes, by backing PC-NCG’s proposal for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard which would be a more effective approach.
“Put differently, good intentions must be paired with conscious, effective action and awareness of their real situational impact, so as to bring the desired outcome of converting Nigeria’s Maritime Potential into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation and long-term prosperity via planned discipline and intentional policy refinement”, so that actions leading to achieving the expected result will not be diverted, derailed or misguided, thereby causing unwelcomed expectation.
“PC-NCG humbly wishes to submit that matters regarding “safe and stable maritime environment, implementation of policy recommendations, guidelines and laws affecting maritime business activities/transactions and engagements, strategic plan for arresting escaping maritime revenues, blocking revenue wastages and leakages, creating direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians, using modern information communication technology and innovation to achieve flourishing maritime experience, among many others, government should consider aligning her intention with immediate effective action. There should be no further delay in establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, which truly will be a helpful outcome and of putting “a square peg in a square hole.”
“It should be noted “fears of institutional interest, overlapping, duplication, operational conflicts in duties, functions and services been advocated against the creation of Coast Guard are imaginations of the human-mind and are not of administrative necessity and national interest, which the Federal Government is determined to achieve thru converting the maritime potentials into a driver that will turn our economic fortunes around in a prosperous and sustainable manner, with increasing opportunities.
“The truth remains that, “all expressed fears cannot be genuinely and godly substantiated by those behind such, because legislative and administrative mechanisms makes it apt for re-alignment and relinquishing of a fraction of duty hitherto performed by one Agency to another Agency whenever such becomes expedient.
“Coast Guard as a fully functional Maritime Law Enforcement Agency is different from a Defence or Regulatory Agency, with different organizational name and occupational nomenclature. Moreso, the ‘Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure’ had outlined smooth functional order between the MDAs and the over one hundred and twenty-nine distinctive specialities that exist within the maritime industry
“The soon to be established Agency and rightly designated Statutory Establishment, that is expected to enforce federal government’s policy and international regulations relating to the plan that was unveiled on December 10, 2025 is the Coast Guard, because, maritime law enforcement and such other array of duties are Coast Guard’s primary, secondary and tertiary responsibilities, services and protocols to carry out.
“Coast Guard is the first and foremost Maritime Law Enforcement Agency, a Security, Safety and Protection Provider for the open maritime commercial activities, transactions and engagements that will ensure the tranquility of the physical locations, installations, facilities, persons and legitimate interests where maritime market and commercial undertakings take place.
“Coast Guard is the Agency that will maintain active presence in all of its jurisdiction 24/7 and in upholding Nigeria’s Maritime Sovereignty and prosperity, through enforcement of all her maritime laws. Coast Guard is to patrol, detect, intercept, disrupt, secure, guard, protect, prevent, enforce, preserve, generate, create, respond, search, rescue, represent, invest, reinvigorate, strengthen, coordinate and collaborates for the achievement of rapid national economic growth, enhanced jurisdictional security, reduced sea crimes, uphold safety of lives, improve Nigeria’s international prestige and developmental strides.
“Coast Guard is the key agency for safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring sustainable opportunities and developments. Coast Guard will work with international partners on global maritime challenges and serves as an armed service that can support naval operations during wartime or national security crises.
“Coast Guard will address threats to the marine and blue economy through a multi-faceted strategy that emphasizes technological innovation, interagency and international cooperation, and a persistent operational presence to ensure safety, security, environmental stewardship, stability and prosperity of the maritime domain.
“There is, therefore, no doubt as to the rightful place, role, service, protocol and desirability of Coast Guard in Nigeria’s maritime domain to implement governments’ policies.
Coast Guard’s operational existence will not invite overlap, duplication, friction, wastage, leakage, and such likes, as it will operate purely within its scheme of service and dual operational orders.
“As a matter of fact, Nigeria is already far behind because of the absence of Coast Guard Agency and had fallen short of the expectation of existing maritime laws, as she has been needlessly spending to have a voice instead of earning the same as a right. Operating a maritime body without a Coast Guard as its life wire over the years had led to loss funds, material, and opportunities worth over hundreds of billions of dollars and trillions of naira.
“This is where the present Federal Government’s plan, as unveiled is worth the full support of Nigerians, Nigeria’s offshore and onshore partners, friends and well-wishers, so that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could be credited for establishing Coast Guard in Nigeria, and for that to form the performance score card of the government of All Progressive Congress (APC), the ruling Party,” Capt. Ichaba emphasized.
