Nigerian Coast Guard targets multi-billion dollars revenue, 3m jobs

The facilitation team of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, has said that the agency, if  established, would rake in annual revenue in the range of billions of dollars to the national coffers annually.

The team also revealed that the agency, when established, would generate over three million indirect jobs and 23,000 direct jobs for the teeming unemployed Nigerians, particularly the youth population.

This is contained in statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Captain of the Chaplaincy Corps and Chief Accounting Officer, CAO of the Provisionary Committee, Noah Ichaba.

Ichaba also stated that the agency, would serve as the soul of the nation’s maritime business, stressing that it is not on a conflict for control of duty but of fulfilling the destiny of the largest economy in Africa and of steadily increasing her national fortunes and interests.

He noted that the agency would be responsible for the safety and security of ships, cargoes, crews, seafarers, passengers, ports, port facilities, port workers, port users and maritime law enforcement.

The statement reads: “The facilitation team of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, which its Establishment Bill No: SB.844 is before the Senate for public hearing, wishes to inform lawmakers, stakeholders and the public that the proposed agency is the flesh, blood, spirit and soul of Nigeria’s maritime trade and commerce.

“It is responsible for the safety and security of ships, cargoes, crews, seafarers, passengers, ports, port facilities, port workers, port users and maritime law enforcement. It ensures measures to prevent and obstruct security-related incidents that may cause damage to Nigeria’s maritime business activities, revenue generation, protection of maritime environment and prevention of criminalities, which is the central concerns of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in building upon SOLAS convention chapter XI-2 by developing International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

“It is the appropriate government agency referred to as maritime guardians or watch-keeping. Nigeria’s maritime industry cannot function optimally successful and advantageously operational without Coast Guard Agency.

“No other agency is best recognized by this occupational name of Coast Guard that is well suited to put into effect the provisions of ISPS code, as prescribed safety and security duty of Securing the commercial and operational activities of the maritime business. It is the agency to be called upon for responsibility and accountability, and that qualifies for maritime law enforcement.

“The Agency is not on a conflict for control of duty but of fulfilling the destiny of the largest economy in Africa and of steadily increasing her national fortunes and interests.

“The agency can comfortably commence operation with 23,000 direct workforce, comprising diverse specialties from maritime security experts, ex-boys, ex-servicemen, graduates of maritime academies, seafarers, transferees, secondees, ratings, skilled creek men and other qualified, available and willing Nigerians. There is over 900 identified real worksites where these prospective workforces would be deployed to. There would be indirect job openings for over 3,000,000 unemployed Nigerian youths.

“As a revenue generating agency, it is not a burden on government finances, but a contributor to the financial wealthiness of Nigeria. The planned agency is capable of generating billions of Dollars yearly.

“The public is informed that there is only one Nigeria, one National Assembly, one Coast Guard, one Establishment Bill SB.844 and one facilitation team that is patriotically committed to providing necessary expertize for the actualization of taking the nation to her excelling height and destiny.

“The facilitation team of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard stands for what is in the best interest of the nation. We stand to uphold the glory and honour of Nigeria at all times. The facilitation team have prudent legal minds that guides and advices accordingly, and that is led by Barrister Rex.

“Perpetrators of inimical activity against the security, safety and peace of Nigeria maritime, if discovered will be reported to appropriate authorities for necessary action.

“Should individuals be found with anything relating to the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, as means of identification or belongingness, without the endorsement of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee or which cannot be confirmed from our records, the same be made to answer questions that diligent law enforcement agents may put to such an individual.”