Starrays
By Moses Duke-(NASS Abuja).
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged for sustained support from all Nigerians for the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard.
The Minister stressed the vital role of the Coast Guards in ensuring maritime safety, security, economic growth, environmental protection and sustainability during a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport on Thursday, chaired by the Commitee Chairman, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun During the public hearing, Oyetola addressed key stakeholders and lawmakers about the importance of the proposed legislation while highlighting the nation’s maritime potential:“Nigeria has a vast coastline of 850 km, the equivalent of 10,000 km in two ways. It is also a place of rich and diverse economic sources,” Oyetola stated.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy also emphasised that with these opportunities come risks, including pollution, overfishing, and the unsustainable exploitation of marine resources, thus the Nigerian Coast Guard is designed to address these challenges, he stated while outlining the key objectives of the Coast Guard, including safeguarding life and property, ensuring environmental protection, and enforcing maritime laws.
According to Dr Adegboyega Oyetola: “The Coast Guard will play a critical role in safeguarding life’s dignity and trade within the Nigerian Coast Guard and our inland waterways,” Oyetola stated.The minister also underscored the need for a holistic approach, stating that the Nigeria Coast Guard would work in tandem with other military agencies, including the Nigerian Navy.
“The Nigerian Coast Guard will ensure effective collaboration with other military agencies to further enhance the protection of our maritime resources.”The Lagos-Calabar coastal road development is a major game-changer for the entire coastline of the country,” Oyetola stated.He noted that the project would unlock significant economic potentials in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and marine services.
The hearing also highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship, with the Coast Guard playing a central role in preventing pollution and preserving Nigeria’s marine ecosystems.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Eshinlokun who sponsored the Bill explained that the establishment of the Coast Guard would complement the efforts of existing maritime agencies.“We must not allow what is happening on the land to happen on the sea,” Eshinlokun stated, referring to the urgent need to secure Nigeria’s waters against illegal activities.
“The proposal for the Nigeria Coast Guard is part of broader efforts to improve Nigeria’s standing in the international maritime community and to bolster economic activities along the coastline” – Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun added
