Protesters, including youths, women, and civil society groups, gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja to express their opposition to the Coastal Guards Establishment Bill. Sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC-Lagos), the bill aims to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard, a new security agency tasked with safeguarding the country’s maritime zones.
Opposition to the Coastal Guards Bill
Key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Navy and civil society organizations (CSOs), argue that the bill duplicates the responsibilities of existing security agencies, such as:
- Nigerian Navy: Responsible for maritime security.
- Nigerian Marine Police: Handles inland water policing.
- National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA): Oversees the enforcement of laws within Nigeria’s waterways.
Activists believe that the proposed agency would not only waste resources but also lead to jurisdictional conflicts and inefficiencies.
Protest Details
Operating under the umbrella of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, protesters displayed placards with messages like “No to Coastal Guards Bill” and “Don’t Waste Our Resources.” They marched, chanted slogans, and sang songs to pressure lawmakers into rejecting the proposal.
Key Arguments Against the Bill
Adamu Matazu, a representative of the protesters, outlined the major concerns:
- Duplication of Functions:
- Existing laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act and the NIMASA Act already regulate maritime security and seafarer training.
- The Nigerian Navy and Marine Police handle hydrographic duties and waterway surveillance.
- Operational Inefficiencies:
- Establishing another agency could complicate coordination within the maritime sector.
- It may lead to competition among security agencies, undermining cohesion and operational effectiveness.
- Economic Implications:
- Resources allocated to a new agency would be better spent on strengthening existing ones.
- The bill could provoke jurisdictional conflicts, negatively affecting Nigeria’s maritime economy and security.
- Global Reputation:
- Nigeria’s exit from the Maritime Piracy Index in 2022 is attributed to effective coordination between current security agencies. The proposed bill, critics say, risks reversing these gains.
Call to Action
The protesters urged lawmakers to focus on empowering existing institutions rather than creating new ones. Matazu emphasized:
“This bill does not address Nigeria’s real problems. Instead, it introduces unnecessary complications that could harm the future of our maritime sector and economy.”
Conclusion
The Coastal Guards Establishment Bill has been widely criticized for its perceived redundancy and potential to disrupt Nigeria’s security framework. Activists demand its rejection to prioritize efficiency, resource optimization, and the enhancement of existing security infrastructure.
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