Navy, NIMASA Disagree Over Proposed Law On Maritime Security

The Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have disagreed over the Senate’s proposed law on maritime security.

The Senate drafted a bill to repeal and amend the NIMASA Act 2007 to strengthen maritime security. When passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the law will empower NIMASA to impose fines on maritime security offenders without taking them to court.

However, an intense disagreement ensued between the Navy and NIMASA during a public hearing on the bill organised by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

NIMASA Director General Dayo Mobereola 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 (CNS0 Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, represented by a senior officer, expressed concerns about the proposed amendment According to him, a section of the bill mandating NIMASA to provide security could lead to conflicts in 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, giving maritime security to NIMASA is wrong because the Nigerian Navy fundamentally defends the territorial water space of Nigeria.”

The committee’s Chairman Wasiu Eshinlokun said the proposed amendments were not targeted at the Navy’s fundamental mandate of territorial water protection but empowered NIMASA to be more effective on its mandate.