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Bill To Establish Nigerian Coast Guard Scales Second Reading In Senate
A bill to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard has scaled second reading in the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Wasiu Eshilokun (APC- Lagos) during plenary on Tuesday.
Leading the debate, Eshilokun said that the bill sought to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard to be charged with the responsibility of securing maritime zones within Nigeria.
He said that the bill was also aimed at maintaining a state of readiness as a specialised service in support of the Nigerian Navy in war situations.
The senator added that the overriding intent of the bill was to enact legislation that sought to contribute to the country’s security, with a special focus on the country’s maritime interests and regional coastal security.
He said that it was also to ensure adherence to global norms and standards as they relate to maritime security.
“It is to assist in the enforcement of all relevant laws within the maritime zones in the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is also to administer and enforce regulations for the preservation of lives and property within the maritime zones of Nigeria,” he stated.
Eshilokun said that the introduction of the proposed legislation at this point in time was apt and strategic as the current administration, in line with its development agenda, was expanding all economic scope and space for maximum national benefits.
“In this regard, the maritime environment offers a deluge of opportunities which can be explored to contribute to the diversification policy of the Federal Government.
“Hence the need to put all modalities in place to secure this viable sector of our economy,” the lawmaker said.
Contributing, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) said, “we need our coast guards; let their duties be properly defined so that customs, navy, anybody will do its own work as assigned to it by the act.”
Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) expressed support to the bill, saying there could not be a viable maritime economy without having coast guards.
“The work of the coast guards is different. They monitor our waterways. Annually, we lose N35 billion to illegal fishing. That can be stopped with coast guards,” she said.
Sen. Sunday Karimi (APC-Kogi) said that “with the way terrorism is going on all over the world, with the high risk of waterways, coast guard is something that is urgently needed.”
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, said that the bill would ensure that Nigeria’s territorial integrity was protected.
“This will also ensure that our defence is not jeopardised at the naval side,” he said.
Barau, thereafter, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for further legislative actions and to report back in four weeks.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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