A significant dispute arose between the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency regarding the Senate’s proposed legislation on maritime security.
The Senate, in an effort to enhance maritime security, drafted a bill to amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act of 2007. Once enacted, this bill would grant NIMASA the authority to levy fines on maritime security violators without the need for legal proceedings.
During the public hearing on the bill organized by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, praised the Senate for introducing the proposed legislation, which he believed aligned with global best practices.
Mobereola stated, “The proposed amendments will enable NIMASA to penalize offenders without resorting to court actions, thereby simplifying enforcement procedures in accordance with international standards.”
However, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, expressed reservations on behalf of the Nigerian Navy.
While supporting certain aspects of the proposed amendments, he raised concerns about a provision in the bill that mandated NIMASA to provide security, fearing it could lead to overlapping responsibilities between NIMASA and the Navy.
He highlighted, “Maritime security is primarily the responsibility of the Nigerian Navy, with other relevant agencies like NIMASA providing support.
Therefore, allocating maritime security duties to NIMASA, as proposed in the amendment, is inappropriate since the Nigerian Navy is fundamentally tasked with safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters.”
In response, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC Lagos Central), clarified that the proposed amendments did not aim to undermine the Nigerian Navy’s core duty of protecting territorial waters. Instead, they sought to enhance NIMASA’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate.
Senator Eshinlokun emphasized, “The proposed revisions to the NIMASA Act are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security framework, ensuring enhanced safety and efficiency in maritime operations within the country.”
