Nigeria's Senate shelves Coast Guard bill amid overlap concerns

Nigeria's Senate has halted deliberations on a bill intended to establish a national Coast Guard. The decision came after senators voiced significant concerns that the proposed agency's responsibilities might conflict with those of the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the suspension following a voice vote where a majority of senators supported the move. The bill, sponsored by Wasiu Eshinlokun, aimed to bolster maritime security, combat illegal fishing, and prevent unauthorized activities along Nigeria's coast by creating a specialized unit under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Despite passing its second reading and undergoing a public hearing where stakeholders reportedly showed strong support, the bill faced opposition during its scheduled third reading. Senators privately expressed worries that a new agency could exacerbate existing funding and coordination challenges within the maritime security sector. Mr. Akpabio highlighted that the Marine Police, in particular, requires better funding and equipment to operate effectively even in shallow waters, suggesting that creating another entity without clear delineation of duties could lead to confusion and inefficiency. "We're not going to kill the bill, we're only withdrawing it for further consultations," Akpabio assured, indicating a willingness to revisit the proposal after addressing the senators' reservations.

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Some senators have observed that their functions will conflict with the functions of the navy and will also conflict with the functions of the marine police.