Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu met with Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff in Abuja, to strengthen security collaboration, on Monday.
The visit aimed to reinforce his commitment to promoting economic development in the coastal regions and other areas of Cross River State, especially around the Bakassi Peninsula, located on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.
In his speech to the Naval Chief and senior officers at the naval headquarters, Governor Otu disclosed that his visit was intended to strengthen the current relationship between the state government and the Naval Authority.
He highlighted the numerous Naval 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.
The Governor advocated for an enhanced Naval presence with an operational base along the maritime border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Bakassi maritime area, an area where the Cameroonian authorities maintain security control while the Nigerian side remains under-protected.
Governor Otu underscored the significance of obtaining Naval assistance for coastal investments, port development, and safeguarding national oil assets and platforms within the state.
The meeting further stressed the necessity for cooperation to generate employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth in the state, 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.
In response, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, pledged the Nigerian Navy’s cooperation with the Cross River 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.
Accompanying the Cross River State Governor on the visit were the State Surveyor General, Surveyor Patrick Bassey, and the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on International Cooperation and Investments, Reverend Victor Edet.
The state government confirmed that the bathymetric survey delivers accurate information that improves navigation and dredging activities, in addition to aiding multiple land initiatives.
They also noted that bathymetric surveys are essential for dock and harbour engineering, flood management and prevention, river maintenance, irrigation, and water power.
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