FG exploring establishment of coastguards for coastline protection

Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy, says the federal government is exploring the possibility of establishing coast guards to ensure security on the nation’s coastline.

Oyetola said this on Saturday at the 32nd Iragbiji day celebration, in Iragbiji, his home town, in Boripe, Osun.

He said security equipment has been deployed by the federal government to protect the waterways.

Oyetola said there are “conscious efforts on security of marine environment. We have deployed security equipment to safeguard the waterways”.

“We are already looking at the possibility of establishing coast guards which will be designed essentially to ensure the safety of our coastline,” he said.

“We have not less than 853 kilometres of coastline in Nigeria and about 10,000 perimeter of inland waterways.

“If we want to ensure coastal tourism, we must provide adequate security and we are working with the navy, marine police and others to ensure security of our waterways.”

Oyetola had said the government is considering the re-establishment of a national shipping line.

The minister had said the move was aimed at capturing a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.