The Provisional Committee of the Proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has welcomed the lifting of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving from Nigeria.

It, however, said the development should serve as a call for national reflection and institutional correction rather than celebration.

The committee made its position known in a statement on Thursday signed by its Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, on behalf of its Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, Captain Noah Ichaba.

Ichaba described the 12-year restriction as an “avoidable, self-inflicted institutional burden” which exposed critical gaps in Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.

“The lifting of the restriction is not an achievement Nigeria should celebrate. It is the correction of a maritime-security failure Nigeria must examine,” he said.

“The real question is not why the restriction was finally lifted. The question is why Nigeria carried it for 12 years.”

The committee recalled that Nigeria was notified by the USCG on March 26, 2013, of identified maritime security deficiencies and given recommendations for addressing them.

It said the Condition of Entry was subsequently imposed in 2014 after the USCG determined that the identified deficiencies had not been adequately addressed.

According to PC-NCG, Nigerian-bound vessels consequently faced additional security requirements, scrutiny, documentation and delays before proceeding to the United States.

It said the measures, linked to compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, also had economic implications for the country.

The committee said Nigeria subsequently committed significant resources, time and diplomatic efforts to managing the consequences of the restriction.

It commended the Federal Government, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), port authorities, terminal operators and other stakeholders for their efforts toward resolving the issues.

PC-NCG, however, called for a comprehensive assessment of the cost of the 12-year restriction to the country.

“How much public money was spent? How many delegations travelled? How much commercial time was lost? Nigerians deserve to know what those 12 years cost,” the statement said.

The committee also urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to undertake a comprehensive National Maritime Security Audit.

It said the audit should determine the financial cost of the restriction, reasons for the prolonged resolution and maritime functions that remained fragmented or unclear.

It also urged the authorities to establish the capacity required to prevent a recurrence and determine the appropriate role of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard within the country’s maritime security architecture.

The committee emphasised that establishing the Nigerian Coast Guard will entrench specialisation, not duplication

PC-NCG said the development had also highlighted the need for specialised maritime security institutions and clearer delineation of responsibilities among existing agencies.

It noted that the USCG assessment was focused on the effectiveness of Nigeria’s civil maritime security system rather than the country’s possession of a naval force.

“A country can have a powerful Navy and still require specialised institutions for maritime law enforcement, port security, search and rescue, and coastal policing,” Ichaba said.

He said having several maritime institutions did not necessarily translate into an integrated maritime security architecture.

PC-NCG reiterated that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard was not intended to replace the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) or National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

“The Navy must not be the loser. But the Navy must not be the obstacle. A strong Coast Guard does not mean a weak Navy.

“A strong Navy does not mean Nigeria cannot have a Coast Guard. Specialisation is not duplication. Clarity is not competition,” he said.

The committee cautioned against allowing the lifting of the restriction to overshadow the institutional lessons arising from the 12-year experience.

“Do not wait 12 years again. Do not wait for another foreign regulator to identify a weakness. Build capacity before the crisis,” it said.

PC-NCG said the proposed Coast Guard should be viewed as an investment in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security and preventing future institutional failures.

“No Blue Economy without Blue Security and Blue Justice,” the committee said.

The PC-NCG is a policy and advocacy body promoting the establishment of a dedicated civil maritime security and maritime law enforcement institution for Nigeria.

It advocates institutional clarity, specialisation and preventive governance in the country’s maritime domain.

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