The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Marine Police Station in Lokoja, describing its current state as deplorable and unsafe for officers.
The motion, titled “Motion on the Urgent Need to Rehabilitate the Marine Police Station in Lokoja and Strengthen Security on Inland Waterways,” was moved by member representing Lokoja I State Constituency, Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani during plenary on Thursday.
Hon. Ebaiya, while presenting the motion, noted that the marine police services play a vital constitutional role in safeguarding lives and property along the waterways, preventing crimes such as smuggling, piracy, human trafficking, and illegal fishing.
He expressed concern that the Marine Police Station in Lokoja, which serves as a major operational base for waterway security in the state, has been in a dilapidated condition for over three years, with parts of the structure already collapsed.
According to him, the poor state of the facility has hindered officers from performing their duties effectively, resulting in increased unregulated activities, security threats, and economic losses for traders and transporters who depend on river routes.
“The security and economic prosperity of Kogi State are closely tied to the effective operation of its inland waterways. The rehabilitation of the Marine Police Station in Lokoja is not just a necessity but an urgent priority.”
The lawmaker noted that Kogi’s strategic location along major inland waterways makes it a key player in trade and commerce, hence the need to strengthen waterway security to promote investment, tourism, and economic growth.
Hon Ebaiya urged the House to call on the Nigeria Police Force, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to collaborate with the state government to rehabilitate the facility and improve marine security operations.
The lawmaker also appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate funding, modern security equipment such as speedboats, surveillance technology, and communication gadgets, to enhance marine police operations in the state.
Deputy Speaker of the House and Member Representing Ibaji State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, who presided over the sitting, commended Hon. Ebaiya for bringing up the motion, describing it as timely and in line with the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring safety and sustainable economic development across Kogi State.
The Deputy Speaker directed the Clerk to forward resolutions of the House to relevant authorities for immediate action.
KOGISTATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, LOKOJA
EIGHT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
MOTION ON THE URGENT NEED TO REHABILITATE THE MARINE POLICE STATION IN LOKOJA AND STRENGTHEN SECURITY ON INLAND WATERWAYS
The Rt. Hon. Speaker, distinguished Hon. Colleagues,
I stand before you, at this hallowed Chambers to note that the marine police services here in Kogi State and in every other States of the Federation are performed as constitutional duties tasked with ensuring the security of waterways across the State and Federation at large, protecting, thereby, lives and properties, and preventing criminal activities such as smuggling, piracy, human trafficking and illegal fishing within the waterways.
Further note that the security and economic prosperity of Kogi State are closely tied to the effective operation of its inland waterways and its functionality. The marine police that can guarantee the safety and security of waterways commuters, riverine transporters and merchants alike, is in a dilapidated state, offices in Lokoja here, partly collapsed and generally in deplorable condition.
Recognizing that Kogi State is strategically located along major inland waterways that serve as critical transportation and commercial routes, playing a pivotal role in trade, commerce and economic development within the State and beyond. The rehabilitation of the marine police station in Lokoja is not just a necessity but an urgent priority.
Deeply concerned that the people of Lokoja Local Government Area and neighbouring towns and villages within the waterways of Kogi State have not been receiving the full benefits of marine police services due to the deteriorating and near-collapse state of the marine police station. Immediate action should be taken to ensure the safety of residents, promote trade and enhance law enforcement capabilities.
Alarmed that the marine police station in Lokoja, which serves as a crucial operational base, has been in a state of disrepair for over three years, with large sections of the structure having collapsed, thereby endangering the lives of officers and severely limiting their ability to carry out security operations effectively.
Further alarmed that the current state of the marine police station discourages officers from performing their duties optimally, leading to a surge in unregulated activities, security threats and economic losses for traders and local businesses that rely on water transportation. This House strongly has the responsibility to urge all relevant authorities to act now before the situation worsens.
Concerned that without urgent intervention, the continued neglect of this vital security infrastructure will not only worsen insecurity along the waterways but also undermine trust in the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. The achievement recorded by the State Government in terms of security should embrace the infrastructural facilities of the marine police. This inclusion, by investing in marine security, will, no doubt, be reckoned as a proactive approach to addressing crime, improving trade and fostering economic stability, as well as securing waterways to encourage more investment in commerce, transportation and tourism.
PRAYERS:
Be it, therefore, resolved by this honourable House to wit:
That this Hon. House do issue its Resolutions to encourage a collaborative approach involving the State Government, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Waterways Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other relevant security bodies to develop a sustainable strategy for inland waterway security and support for marine police services.
That the Nigeria Police Force be called upon to immediately rehabilitate and reconstruct the collapsed marine police station in Lokoja to restore its functionality and ensure a secure and conducive working environment for officers.
That this Hon. House do urge the Federal Government for adequate funding and modern security infrastructure, including speedboats, surveillance technology and communication gadgets, to enhance the operational efficiency of marine police units in Kogi State and to integrate the State into National Inland Water Security Initiatives, ensuring that it benefits from funding, training programmes and strategic security deployments.
I so move.
Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani
Lokoja I State Constituency.