Nigerian Police, Military, Civil Society others reject creation of Nigerian Marine Corps

On Monday, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, joined other lawmakers, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Shippers Council, and several civil society organizations (CSOs) in rejecting a proposed Bill to establish the Nigerian Marine Corps.

The Bill, which was presented for a public hearing by the House Committee on Navy, aims to enhance maritime security and safeguard Nigeria’s blue economy. Titled A Bill for an Act to Establish the Nigerian Marine Corps to Promote Maritime Security (HB 225), it was sponsored by Hon. Alex Egbona (Cross River) and passed its second reading in the House on Thursday, November 30, 2023, before being referred to the Navy Committee for further review.

Opposing the Bill during the hearing, Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, argued that the creation of the proposed federal body to handle maritime law enforcement and defense would duplicate the roles already effectively carried out by the Nigerian Navy and other agencies, including NIMASA.

He warned that the establishment of such an agency would lead to unnecessary overlap in responsibilities and administrative inefficiencies.

Speaking on behalf of 66 other House members, Agbese emphasised the importance of scrutinizing proposed legislation to ensure that it serves the nation’s best interests and does not create redundant governmental structures.

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.”

The Nigeria Police Force also strongly criticised the proposed Bill to establish the Nigerian Marine Corps, calling it an ill-advised initiative.

They argued that the Bill would not only duplicate the responsibilities already handled by certain sections of the police but also contribute to the proliferation of maritime security agencies, potentially creating a parallel force to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

While acknowledging the Bill’s good intentions, SP Nandom Vongjen, Staff Officer for the Marine Section of the Police Force, warned that it could lead to more problems than it resolves.

He advocated for a more strategic approach, urging that existing agencies be strengthened and their capabilities optimized. According to Vongjen, streamlining current structures and fostering greater inter-agency collaboration would enhance maritime security without incurring unnecessary costs or adding bureaucratic layers.

During the public hearing, other key stakeholders echoed similar concerns. Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, Chief of Training & Operations for the Nigerian Navy, Mrs. Moji Jimoh, Coordinator for NIMASA’s Abuja Zonal Office, and Mr. Bala Saleh, Director of Legal Services for the Nigerian Shippers Council, all emphasized the need to fortify existing institutions rather than establishing new ones, which could introduce additional security risks for the country.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) also voiced their opposition to the Bill. Representatives from various CSOs, including Abdullahi Bilal (Spokesman for Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa), Okwa Daniel (Executive Director of Centre for Social Justice, Equity & Transparency), Daniel Momoh Prince (National President of Nigerian Unemployed Youth Association), Igwe Ude-Umanta (Convener of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Economic Watch), and Opialu Fabian (Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights & Advocacy in Africa Network), all argued that the proposed Marine Corps was unnecessary and urged the House to reject the Bill during its third reading.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Hon. Yusuf Gadgi, Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, assured the public that the committee would carry out a thorough and impartial review of the Bill.

He emphasised that the committee’s role was to ensure that legislative actions are made in the best interest of the nation, free from bias.