L-R: Cross River State Surveyor General, Surveyor Patrick Bassey; Special Adviser Cross River State Liaison Office Abuja, Mrs. Sarah Archibong; Governor Bassey Otu; the CNß, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Senior Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on International Cooperation and Investment, Rev. Victor Edet after the courtesy visit to the CNS Yesterday.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has raised the alarm that the Nigerian side of the Nigeria, Cameroon maritime border at the Bakassi maritime Area is porous.
Otu who said this on Monday, when he visited the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla in Abuja, said in that area “the Cameroonian authorities maintain security control while the Nigerian side remains under-protected”.
In this regards, the governor in a press release dated September 10, by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, advocated for “an enhanced Naval presence with an operational base along the maritime border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Bakassi maritime area”.
He underscored the significance of obtaining Naval assistance for coastal investments, port development, and safeguarding national oil assets and platforms within the state..
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration for security and economic advancement along the coastlines of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State as Governor Otu revealed that his visit aimed “to solidify the existing 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 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 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.
Ogalla 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”.
Re-joining, the he state government clarified that the Bathymetric survey provides precise data that enhances navigation and dredging operations, while also supporting various land projects.
It further explained that bathymetric surveys are valuable for Dock and Harbour Engineering, Flood Management and Prevention, River Maintenance, Irrigation, and Water Power.
Accompanying the Cross River State Governor on the visit were the State Surveyor General, Surveyor Patrick Bassey, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on International Cooperation and Investments, Reverend Victor Edet.