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The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, on Monday said Nigeria needs to have a marine corps due to its vast maritime resources and the increasing threats to maritime security.
The lawmaker said establishing the Nigerian Marine Corps is a strategic initiative to enhance the country’s maritime prowess, protect our waters, and foster a secure environment for trade and economic growth.
He said this at a public hearing by the Committee on the Nigerian Marine Corps Bill at the National Assembly Complex.
However stakeholders, including the Navy at the hearing kicked against the bill.
But Gagdi said the bill represents a proactive step towards safeguarding our national interests and ensuring the safety of the coastal and marine environments.
He stressed the need for collaboration and dialogue in shaping the future of the nation’s maritime safety and security.
“Establishing the Nigerian Marine Corps is not merely a legislative effort but a strategic initiative to enhance our maritime prowess, protect our waters, and foster a secure environment for trade and economic growth.
“Given Nigeria’s vast maritime resources and the increasing threats to maritime security, this bill represents a proactive step towards safeguarding our national interests and ensuring the safety of our coastal and marine environments,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, for support for this critical initiative.
“Your leadership continues to inspire us as we work towards creating a safer future for our maritime domain.
“Today, we look forward to valuable insights from all stakeholders present, as your contributions will play a significant role in refining and strengthening this bill.
“Together, let us work towards ensuring that the Nigerian Marine Corps is equipped to fulfill its mandate effectively, serving the security needs of our country while fostering collaboration among all agencies involved in maritime activities,” he said.
Abbas said the hearing represents another step in the shared commitment to the democratic process and collective resolve to advance the security, stability, and prosperity of our great nation.
He said the focus on marine intervention is firmly rooted in the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, particularly in our goals of Economic Diversification and Agricultural Development.
“The realities of our time demand bold action. Global peace is increasingly fragile, and Nigeria faces security challenges exacerbated by its proximity to regions of instability. As such, it is pragmatic and necessary for Nigeria to bolster its military capabilities, with a strong emphasis on naval warfare and maritime security.
“However, this is not solely a matter of defence. The Marine Corps, as envisioned in this bill, will also play a pivotal role in promoting climate and environmental sustainability. By aiding in the management and conservation of Nigeria’s coastal resources, the Corps will contribute to the broader national and global agenda of environmental stewardship,” he said.
However, the Deputy spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the Bill proposes to create a new federal body tasked with maritime law enforcement and defense responsibilities traditionally managed by the Nigerian Navy and other existing agencies such as NIMASA.
He said it would lead to duplication of functions, if allowed to scale through.
Agbese, who is the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, stressed that as members of the House, it was their duty to critically examine proposed legislation with a view to ensuring its alignment with the best interests of the nation and to avoid the creation of unnecessary or duplicative structures within government agencies.
Speaking on behalf of 66 other Members of the House, Agbese said: “Acting under the mandate to promote efficient governance and resource management, we hereby call for the total and complete rejection of the bill proposing the establishment of the Nigerian Marine Corps.
“It is our contention as Members of this legislative body that the creation of this new entity would only result in significant overlap, redundancy, and logistical strain, creating operational inefficiencies and imposing unwarranted financial demands on the government.
“The proposed Act outlines the creation of a maritime enforcement agency charged with enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of federal laws on, under, and over Nigeria’s high seas and other waterways, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and required to maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service within the Nigerian Navy in times of war.
“This proposed body raises multiple operational, economic, and strategic concerns particularly in the areas of jurisdictional conflicts, wartime readiness, legal authority, and environmental management.
“We have thoroughly examined this bill and its objectives and we assert that the establishment of a Nigerian Marine Corps is both redundant and counterproductive, given the existing roles, mandates, and capacities of the Nigerian Navy and other maritime agencies.
“We therefore firmly and unequivocally call for the total defeat of the bill and a recommendation for its immediate withdrawal, while highlighting the compelling need to prioritize efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and coherent maritime governance”.
Chief of Training & Operations of Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira; Coordinator, NIMASA, Abuja Zonal Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh and Director, Legal Services, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Bala Saleh underscored the need to strengthen the already existing agencies, rather than creating new ones which could pose more security threats to the nation.
All the members of the Civil Society Organisations who attended the public hearing, spoke against the Bill.
They urged the House to kill the Bill during the third reading, describing it as unnecessary.
Those who spoke on behalf of the CSOs include Abdullahi Bilal, Spokesman for Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa; Okwa Daniel, Executive Director, Centre for Social Justice, Equity & Transparency; Daniel Momoh Prince, National President, Nigerian Unemployed Youth Association; Igwe Ude-Umanta, Convener, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Economic Watch; Opialu Fabian, Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights & Advocacy in Africa Network; amongst others.
Adjourning the hearing, Gadgi assured Nigerians that due diligence would be done in carrying out legislative actions on the bill.
He said the Committee was an impartial body and would not take sides in doing its work.