Navy, NIMASA Clash over Proposed Senate Law on Maritime Security 

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

There was a disagreement between the Nigerian  Navy and  the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) over the weekend during a public hearing over the proposed law on Maritime security by the Senate .

The Senate had in a bid to strengthen maritime security,  drafted  a bill to repeal and amend the NIMASA Act of 2007.
The bill, when passed into law , would empower NIMASA to impose fines on maritime security offenders without taking them to court .
The Public Hearing on the bill was organised by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

The Director General of NIMASA,  Dayo Mobereola , commended the Senate for coming up with the proposed legislation  which according to him, was in line with international best practices .
He said, “The proposed  amendments would empower us at NIMASA to impose fines on offenders without needing court actions, thus streamlining enforcement processes which are clearly in line with international best practices.
However, the Chief of Naval Staff,   Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, in his speech on the occasion, as recorded by the Senate panel, raised concerns on behalf of the Nigerian Navy.

The Naval Chief supported some of the proposed amendments but noted that a section of  the  proposed law  mandating NIMASA to provide security could lead to conflicts on  responsibilities between NIMASA and the Navy.
He said: “Maritime security is largely ensured by the Nigerian Navy while other relevant agencies like NIMASA , complement.
“Therefore as  observed in a section of the proposed amendment , given Maritime security to NIMASA is wrong because the Nigerian Navy fundamentally defends the territorial  water space of Nigeria,” he said .

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun ( APC Lagos Central), said the proposed amendments, were not targeted at Nigerian Navy’s fundamental mandate of territorial water protection but empower NIMASA to be more effective on its own mandate .
“The proposed amendments to the NIMASA Act, aim to bolster Nigeria’s maritime security framework, ensuring safer and more efficient maritime operations in the country”, he said .