By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Committee on Navy has recommended that the Nigerian Navy receive improved funding to protect the country’s waterways rather than establishing a coast guard.
The Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), made the recommendation at the 2025 budget defence session in Abuja on Monday.
Mr Gagdi said the Nigerian Navy was being “suffocated” due to insufficient funds and that it would be unwise to establish another sister agency.
He said, “We have a navy that is working hard, but is being suffocated. We are members of the National Assembly that are aware of a bill that is in the process of consideration by the National Assembly.
“Now, we have a navy that is suffocated of funding. We have a navy that is doing well, and we want additional funding for the Nigerian Navy.”
He added, “As National Assembly, it will be irrational for us to consider passage of another sister agency when the existing agency is not being adequately funded.”
“We must work together to ensure that we educate the people, and we must work together to ensure that we protect the Nigerian Navy on the floor of the House of Representative.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, highlighted the navy’s funding challenges. He noted that in 2024, the navy received a total of N211.2 billion, with N42.9 billion allocated for capital expenditure and N132.26 billion for personnel costs.
He appealed for increased funding, particularly for overhead costs, to enable the navy to fuel its platforms and maintain its equipment.
Mr Ogalla expressed concern that the proposed overhead cost amount was insufficient.
He stated that it was “not enough to fuel the platforms” and that there was a need to build accommodations, purchase equipment, and maintain existing ones.
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