Marine Corps Bill faces opposition from lawmakers, security agencies, CSOs

A bill proposing the establishment of the Nigerian Marine Corps (HB 225) has sparked significant backlash from lawmakers, maritime agencies, and civil society organisations during a public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Navy on Monday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alex Egbona (Cross River), aims to enhance maritime security and Nigeria’s blue economy.

However, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, and 66 other lawmakers have dismissed it as unnecessary and duplicative, calling for its outright rejection.

Rep. Agbese argued that the bill seeks to create a federal body with roles that overlap with those of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other existing agencies.

“The creation of this new entity would result in significant overlap, redundancy, and logistical strain, imposing unwarranted financial demands on the government,” he said.

Agbese emphasised that the legislative focus should prioritise efficiency and fiscal responsibility and strengthen governance within existing structures.

The Nigeria Police Force echoed similar concerns, warning against the proliferation of maritime security outfits.

SP Nandom Vongjen, representing the force, described the proposed Marine Corps as “well-intentioned but problematic,” advocating instead for optimising existing agencies.

Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira of the Nigerian Navy and representatives from NIMASA and the Nigerian Shippers Council also underscored the need to bolster current maritime frameworks rather than creating additional layers of bureaucracy.

Civil society organisations joined the opposition. Abdullahi Bilal of the Security Analysts & Research Forum in Africa labelled the bill “unnecessary,” others stressed that establishing a new maritime body could pose greater security threats.

Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gadgi, assured Nigerians of a fair and impartial legislative process. “Due diligence will be carried out to ensure a well-informed decision,” he stated.

As the bill heads for further deliberation, the overwhelming consensus suggests it faces significant hurdles to enactment.