The Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the maritime safety architecture for passenger boats in Nigeria.
The proposal comes on the heels of the recent collision of two speedboats in Ikang, Bakassi LGA, Cross River State, in which eight lives were reportedly lost.
In a statement issued Saturday by Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Director of Communication and Public Affairs, on behalf of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, Capt. Noah Ichaba, the Committee condoled with the bereaved families and commended the Cross River State Police Command for its rescue efforts.
Reports said, the incident occurred on September 6, 2026, at about 12:14 p.m., with five survivors rescued by local fishermen in Cameroon.
The PC-NCG reiterated its call for passage of the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill, currently at third reading in the Senate, stressing that reviews must cover vessel registration, seaworthiness, operator certification, safety procedures, communication systems and inter-agency coordination.
“We do not attribute this collision to the absence of a Coast Guard, nor do we prejudge findings. However, repeated tragedies warrant serious consideration of whether current arrangements adequately serve coastal communities.
The proposed Coast Guard must be judged on constitutional authority, operational necessity and public safety outcomes – not rivalry,” the statement noted.
The Committee warned that the tragedy must not end as another news cycle, demanding transparent investigation into the cause of the collision, compliance with safety standards, and adequacy of emergency response.
“There can be no meaningful Blue Economy without Blue Security and Blue Justice. Regulation must not exist only on paper,” it stated, urging stronger search and rescue preparedness and cross-border cooperation.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, Nigerian Navy, Marine Police and Cross River State Government to ensure thorough investigation, engagement with affected families, and concrete preventive measures.
