Coastal States Seek Unified Maritime Laws, Security Funding
States along Nigeria’s coastline have called for harmonised maritime laws to boost waterway security and enhance cross-border trade between coastal communities and neighbouring countries.
Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, under the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, the states also proposed that a portion of revenue from maritime taxes and crude oil exports be allocated to coastal security.
In a communiqué released after the platform’s inaugural summit—made available to journalists in Akure, Ondo State—the delegates urged the alignment of laws, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, to ensure more effective enforcement.
Representatives from seven coastal states attended the summit, including Deputy Governors Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo (Bayelsa), Akon Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom), Olayide Adelami (Ondo), Peter Odey (Cross River), Noimot Salako-Oyedele (Ogun), and Monday Onyeme (Delta). Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mrs Mobolaji Daba.
Forum Chairman and Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the platform was created to unite coastal state governments in addressing common challenges.
“In our coastal states, ocean surge is destroying communities before our eyes,” Ewhrudjakpo noted. “We also face sea piracy, illegal encroachment into waterways, and neglect of the welfare and infrastructure needs of our coastal populations.”
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Opening the summit, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno commended the strong turnout of deputy governors, saying it showed the seriousness of the issues at stake. He stressed that the summit’s theme—‘Enhancing the Potential of International Coastal Border Communities for National and Recreational Development: The Role of Stakeholders’—had significant national security implications.
Ondo State Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami reaffirmed his state’s commitment to collaborating with other coastal states on key development initiatives. He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s focus on expanding Nigeria’s blue economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
