From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has intensified his dedication to fostering economic progress along the coastal areas and other parts of Cross River state particularly in the vicinity of the Bakassi Peninsula, which lies on the international border between Nigeria and the Cameroon Republic.

Otu, on Monday, visited the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla in Abuja. Their meeting focused on strengthening collaboration for security and economic advancement along the coastlines of the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport in Cross River State. During his address to the Naval Chief and the senior officers at the naval headquarters, Otu revealed that his visit was 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 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.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 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.