NIMASA, Navy differ over proposed law on maritime security

Sharp disagreement erupted at the Senate public hearing on the proposed enactment of a law on maritime security between the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, over the weekend.

The Senate had in a bid to strengthen maritime security, drafted a bill to repeal and amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Act of 2007, which when passed into law, would empower NIMASA to impose fines on maritime security offenders without taking them to court.

During public hearing on the bill organized by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport on Friday, 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 .

“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”, he said.

However, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, represented by a senior officer, raised concerns on behalf of the Nigerian Navy.

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While supporting some of the proposed amendments, he noted that a section of the proposed law mandating NIMASA to provide security could lead to conflicts on responsibilities between NIMASA and the Navy.

“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,” he said.

In his remarks, 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 empowers 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.