Governor Of Cross River State Visits Naval Headquarters

Governor Of Cross River State Visits Naval Headquarters

On Monday 9 September 2024, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State paid a Courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla at Naval Headquarters Abuja.

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, Naval War College Nigeria and Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar.

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. Furthermore, the Governor intimated the CNS of his readiness to support the NN. He also highlighted the need to protect the sea area at the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port (BDSP). The establishment of BDSP 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, the CNS thanked the Governor for the visit and reassured him of the commitment of the NN to ensure adequate Naval presence especially at the coastal axis, border areas and the environs of the proposed BDSP. He therefore reaffirmed NN’s continuous provision of adequate security to critical Government assets in the State and environs.