A proposed bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Marine Corps met stiff opposition on Monday during a public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Navy.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Marine Corps to Promote Maritime Security” (HB 225), aims to create a new federal agency to bolster maritime security and manage Nigeria’s blue economy. Sponsored by Rep. Alex Egbona (Cross River), the bill passed its second reading on November 30, 2023, and was sent to the committee for further deliberation.
However, widespread resistance from stakeholders, including 67 House of Representatives members, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Nigeria Police Force, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has thrown its future into uncertainty.
Distinguished Honourable Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House and representative of Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, spoke on behalf of 66 lawmakers against the bill.
He argued that establishing the Marine Corps would duplicate the functions of existing agencies such as the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA.
“It is our duty to scrutinize legislation to ensure it aligns with national interests and avoids creating redundant structures.
This bill is counterproductive and imposes unnecessary financial demands on the government,” Agbese said.
He warned that the proposed agency could lead to jurisdictional conflicts, operational inefficiencies, and a strain on logistics, calling for its outright rejection.
The Nigeria Police Force, represented by SP Nandom Vongjen, echoed similar sentiments, describing the proposal as “ill-advised.” Vongjen noted that the Marine Corps would create overlaps with existing maritime security responsibilities, leading to operational redundancies.
Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, representing the Nigerian Navy, also criticized the bill, stating that the Navy and other agencies already adequately handle maritime enforcement and defense.
“What we need is resource optimization, not new structures,” Ferreira emphasized.
NIMASA’s Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Moji Jimoh, and the Nigerian Shippers Council’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Bala Saleh, stressed that enhancing the capacities of current institutions would improve maritime security without incurring additional costs or bureaucratic hurdles.
Civil society groups were equally vocal in their disapproval.
Representatives like Abdullahi Bilal of the Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa and Okwa Daniel, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice, Equity & Transparency, labeled the bill “unnecessary.” They urged the House to reject it outright, emphasizing that existing agencies were sufficient for maritime security.
Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gadgi, assured stakeholders of an impartial review process, stating, “The Committee remains neutral and will ensure all views are carefully considered before making a decision.”
With opposition mounting from all quarters, the bill’s future appears bleak. Stakeholders are advocating for better cooperation and resource optimization among existing agencies instead of establishing a new Marine Corps, highlighting the need for fiscal prudence and streamlined maritime governance.