We need naval assistance for coastal investments, safety of maritime assets – Gov Otu

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has appealed to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla to help establish the presence of the Navy in the Coast of Calabar to attract coastal investments into the state and safeguard national oil assets and platforms within the state.

He also called for an enhanced naval presence with an operational base along the maritime border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Bakassi maritime area.

At a meeting he had with the naval boss on Monday, the Governor said Cameroonian authorities have maintained security control while the Nigerian side remains under-protected, worrying that this was very dangerous for Nigeria’s maritime security.

Otu disclosed that Naval presence will ensure regional stability in the Bakassi coastal area and foster collaboration with Cameroon to address mutual security challenges crucial for realizing the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.

Expressing happiness for the good relationship existing between the state government and the naval authorities, he thanked them for their establishments in the state, including Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, the Eastern Naval Command, the Naval War College Nigeria, and Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, among other key facilities and infrastructure in Calabar.

Speaking, the Navy boss, Ogalla, pledged his unit’s cooperation with the State Government to initiate bathymetric surveys of the new Bakassi Islands within Nigeria’s territory to drive economic prosperity as requested by the Governor.

He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the visit and reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s dedication to ensuring a robust Naval presence, particularly along the coastal areas, border regions, and the vicinity of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.