Coast Guard Will Enhance Nigeria's Maritime Security & Global Standing - PC-NCG Boss
Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba says the establishment of Coast Guard as Maritime Law Enforcement Agency will enhance the country's maritime security, prevent global embarrassment, and facilitate intelligence sharing with the international Coast Guard Network, ultimately contributing to the growth of Nigeria's blue economy.
Captain Ichaba, in a statement issued on Saturday and endorsed by his Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, noted that the Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard is genuinely concerned with the US Coast Guard's interception and seizure of a vessel on 10th December 2025, owned by a Nigerian-Registered Company, reportedly involved in Crude Oil Theft, Illicit Drug, Piracy, Money Laundering, flying Guyana's flag and for other Transnational crimes.
"Without doubt, the afore stated offense has serious implications on Nigeria's honour, as the crime involves treasonable felony, challenge of national sovereignty, threat to national security, crossing of legal and political red lines, and evoking an alarm among self-governing authorities.
"The sad effect of the reported ignominy is that; it has entered Nigeria in world record as a State that is well-known for bad doings. Such reference comes with incalculable damage and yet to be fathomed consequences as well as exacerbated diplomacy.
"The most unfortunate and sad pain is that, the above infamy was a preventable one if Coast Guard had been established before that scandalous incident, whether the vessel assailed from Nigeria's jurisdiction or outside it.
It is pertinent to inform concerned authorities that the lashing travails and endoscopy bleeding that Nigeria's Maritime Business Domain and name is suffering on the world stage, is majorly due to the absence of an autonomous Coast Guard Agency in Nigeria, which should have carried out its crucial duties of enforcing maritime law, of securing the Open Maritime Commercial Activities, Transactions, Engagements and of performing other critical functions, services and protocols.
"This pitiable situation which Nigeria finds herself in, as a Maritime Nation, calls for proportionate sympathy and patriotic redemptive action. Without that, Nigeria will face more of such national disgrace and international embarrassing undertakings, and will further indicate that the country's efforts at growing Nigeria's economy in a faster, better and steady manner will remain a mirage.
"This, incident therefore, calls for taking appropriate, adequate and timely action on creating Coast Guard; so as to place Nigeria at per with other maritime nations of the world in line with global best practices and desired international prestige as well as to deter public shame or disgrace.
"The establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard is expected to have several benefits for the country. It'll enhance maritime security by providing a dedicated agency to patrol and protect Nigeria's waters, preventing illegal activities like piracy, smuggling, and oil theft.
"It will also bring Nigeria in line with global best practices, facilitating intelligence sharing and cooperation with international Coast Guard networks. This cooperation can help prevent global embarrassment, like incidents involving Nigerian waters or vessels, and promote a positive image of Nigeria's maritime sector.
"A secure maritime environment can also drive growth in Nigeria's blue economy by encouraging investment, promoting sustainable use of marine resources, and boosting trade. This can create jobs and stimulate economic development.
"To close that gap of misery, a remarkable action, in the best interest of the nation is to create Coast Guard without further delay, for it is the only truly recognized Maritime Law Enforcement Agency with the right occupational duty, organizational name and appropriate career nomenclature
"Another crushing pain in the whole matter is that, as long as Nigeria is involved and continue in maritime business without establishing Coast Guard which is one of the globally required Pillars of Maritime Business, Nigeria will continue to be at the mercy of Ardent Traitors, International Maritime Organization, Association of International Coastguard Network and such other related Bodies as well as Member States that has established Coast Guard in their respective countries.
"Agree or disagree, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy at those levels will be to Nigeria's disadvantage. The antidote to this painful reality and succinct scenario is to establish Coast Guard without further delay, inaction or improper decision.
"Relevant Authorities are respectfully invited to kindly take into account the fact that time is of the essence, and history does not spare anyone because it has no regard for any person's worth, weight and wiggle. The continued absence of Coast Guard from the working environment of Nigeria's Maritime Community will continue to invite the world to jeer at Nigeria, in a more mocking manner, which they will leverage on.
"The interception and seizure of a Nigerian VLCC is indeed a stain on the country's integrity and a matter of grave concern. Such incidents undermine Nigeria's reputation as a reliable partner in the global maritime community and can have far-reaching economic implications.The incident highlights the need for robust maritime security measures to prevent such occurrences and protect Nigeria's mariti
"The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria's maritime security agencies and the need for improved coordination and collaboration to prevent and respond to such incidents," the statement reads in part.
