Nigerian Merchant Navy Outfits Excited As Coast Guard Bill Passes Second Reading At Senate

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…Seeks Involvement in Implementation of Law

A merchant navy group under the aegis of Nigerian Merchant Navy Outfits, have expressed support for a bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps (NMNCGSSC) which passed through its Second reading on Wednesday the 30th June 2021.

National Cordinator of the group, Captain JohnLinus Okoronkwo in press statement at the weekend commended Senator Kabiru Gaya and Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye for presenting this bill to the Senate table.

The group has however urged the senate to involve her in implementation of this Bill when it os passed into law.

Capt JohnLinus stated that the bill if passed into law, would provide an avenue of direct employment for several thousands of Nigerian seafarers and youths currently roaming the streets.

He also stated that the bill would help to curb illegal importation of sophisticated weapon into Nigeria through the sea, and to address the proliferation of arms and ammunition in the Nigerian society.

In the statement, he said “After a successful discussion with the Merchant Sail Navy, the Directorate of Nigeria Seafarers, the Marine Guard, the Coastal Safety and Awareness, the Maritime Safety and Rescue added with other Marine Safety and Security outfits which are legally incorporated under the Corporate Affairs Commission and Operate in Nigeria as the Nigerian Merchant Navy outfits.

“We wish to notify the office of the President of the Senate, the Chairman Committee on Navy and the Clerk to the National Assembly, that the outfits as one body are fully in support of a bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps (NMNCGSSC) which passed through its Second reading on Wednesday the 30th June 2021”

“With aim and objective to secure the safety of Nigerian coastal and inland waterways.

“The bill if passed into law, will provide an avenue of direct employment for several thousand of Nigerian youth both the seafarers and other citizens, going by the latest statistics of more than 5,000 vessels operating in the nation’s seas.

“The bill, will help to curb illegal importation of sophisticated weapon into Nigeria through the sea, to avoid the further proliferation of arms that is already becoming very rampant.

“The bill is also expected to perform anti-smuggling operations, thereby assisting in the enforcement of customs laws, the bill will also see to the effective performance of anti-piracy operation as a Reserve Marine outfit which will confront and combat the activities of armed robbers and bandits on the waterways.

“The bill will also ensure the performance of anti-illegal fishery; whereby the corps is expected to assist in the enforcement of customs laws in anti-fishery operations.

“In addition, the Nigerian Merchant Navy if established by law, will perform the civic responsibilities of participating in internal security operations to aid civil authority. It is also envisaged that the agency will participate in the restoration of peace and the resolution of the conflict between oil companies and host communities.

“We have agreed and we request for all the Marine Safety and Security outfits to be under this bill (Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard and Safty Corps)” the statement read

5 thoughts on “Nigerian Merchant Navy Outfits Excited As Coast Guard Bill Passes Second Reading At Senate

  1. It is high time we had a coast guard in Nigeria. It will also prevent illegal entry of foreign vessels , sea pirate etc.

  2. Yes Nigeria has over due for Coast Guard. In my recent lecture at the interregional Maritime Security institute of science and technology l told them that once Coast Guard is established in Nigeria most of the crimes will die down.
    I Dr Jacob Ovweghre is fully in support of this Coast Guard bill.

  3. I was trained by Nigeria merchant Navy since 2009 by commodore Edema, waiting for the bill to pass to law, if God have answer are prayer, I will be so happy, because so many have lose their lives because of this nmn, please Senate should do something.

  4. merican have two navy, Royal Navy and coast guard, what is happening in Nigeria that we can not do the right thing, Senate pass this bill to law

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