Hundreds of activists, including youths and women from across Nigeria, gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday to express strong opposition to the Coastal Guards Establishment Bill.
The bill, introduced by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC-Lagos), proposes the creation of a dedicated Nigerian Coast Guard to secure the country’s maritime zones. However, the bill has faced strong resistance from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Navy, and several civil society organizations (CSOs).
Critics argue that the bill attempts to introduce a new arm of the Armed Forces through constitutional amendments, potentially leading to an overabundance of security forces in the country, which could exacerbate existing security challenges.
Under the banner of the Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, the protesters, holding placards with slogans like “No to Coastal Guards Bill” and “Don’t Waste Our Resources,” marched to the National Assembly, demanding the rejection of the proposed legislation. They chanted and sang, calling on lawmakers to dismiss the bill.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Adamu Matazu emphasized that the bill is redundant and would duplicate the responsibilities of existing security agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Marine Police, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Matazu criticized the bill for potentially wasting resources and creating conflicts among security agencies, arguing that Nigeria’s current security forces are well-regarded internationally and do not need additional duplication. He warned that the establishment of the Coast Guard would lead to jurisdictional conflicts, inefficiencies, and unnecessary competition, ultimately undermining the effectiveness of Nigeria’s maritime security.
“We believe that establishing a Coastal Guard will complicate coordination, provoke new challenges, and potentially harm Nigeria’s economy,” Matazu stated. He further warned that the bill could result in the country being re-listed in the Maritime Piracy Index, a designation Nigeria had successfully exited in 2022.
Matazu called on the National Assembly to reject the bill outright and instead focus on enhancing the capacities of existing maritime security agencies to avoid wasting public funds and resources.
“This bill does not address any fundamental issues facing Nigeria. It’s a journey of misadventure that should be halted immediately for the sake of democracy and the future of our children,” Matazu concluded.
Be the first to comment