Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has called for the protection of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
Otu stated this on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, at Naval Headquarters Abuja.
In his remarks, the Governor advocated for improved Naval presence at the strategic location adjoining the boundaries of Cross River and Cameroon.
According to the Governor, “It is necessary to deploy more naval personnel and platforms around the maritime border areas to deter any form of criminalities along the coast.”
He further intimated the Chief of the Naval Staff of his readiness to support the Nigerian Navy. Highlighting the need to protect the sea area at the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, Otu said,
“The establishment of Bakassi Deep Seaport is necessary considering the need to decongest Apapa and other ports in line with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest for emplacement of economic enablers for enhanced national prosperity.”
In his response, Vice Admiral Ogalla thanked Governor Otu for the visit and reassured him of the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to ensure “Adequate Naval presence, especially at the coastal axis, border areas and the environs of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, therefore, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s continuous provision of adequate security to critical Government assets in the State and environs.
Our correspondent reports that the visit was another milestone in the longstanding cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and Cross Rivers State which hosts many Naval units such as Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS Victory), Naval War College Nigeria and Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar. The deep seaport has been a major challenge for cross river state over the years considering the fight and insecurity in the land.
The people of bakassi has been at war over oil with Cameron and over the years, the waterways which is a proposed sight for the deep seaport is a war zone for the bakassi . Angry youths over the years who feel the only way they can address their anger to government is by stopping any development or activities at the seaport project and as a result, the insecurity in bakassi is very high and risky for business .
