There was serious disagreement between the NigerianNavy andthe Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over the proposed law on Maritime security by the Senate.

In its bid to strengthen maritime security,the Senate drafteda 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 weekend,the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola who hailed the Senate for coming up with the proposed legislation thatwas in line with international best practices, said, “The proposedamendments 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.”

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

Supporting some of the proposed amendments, the Naval Chief whonoted that a section oftheproposed lawmandating NIMASA to provide security could lead to conflicts onresponsibilities between NIMASA and the Navy, said ” Maritime security is largely ensured by the Nigerian Navy while other relevant agencies like NIMASAcomplement.

“Therefore asobserved in a section of the proposed amendment, given Maritime security to NIMASA is wrong because the Nigerian Navy fundamentally defends the territoralwater space of Nigeria,“ he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, APC, Lagos Central stressed that 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.

He said, “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.” (Vanguard)