On Monday, the Governor of Cross River, Bassey Otu highlighted the need for the Nigerian Navy to protect the sea area at the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port (BDSP).
During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Navy’s headquarters in Abuja, Governor Otu emphasised the need for an increased presence of personnel and platforms around the maritime border areas to deter any form of criminalities along the coast.
Speaking to the Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Governor Otu advocated for improved Naval presence at the strategic location adjoining the boundaries of Cross River and Cameroon.
A statement released by the Navy on Monday captured the governor’s readiness to support the Navy.
“He also highlighted the need to protect the sea area at the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port (BDSP),” the statement read.
The establishment of BDSP, according to the statement is necessary considering the need to decongest Apapa and other ports in line with President Bola Tinubu’s quest for emplacement of economic enablers for enhanced national prosperity.
In his response, the CNS reassured the governor 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 BDSP.
The CNS also reaffirmed the Navy’s continuous provision of adequate security to critical government assets in the State and environs.
The Navy noted that the governor’s visit was yet another milestone in the longstanding cordial relationship with 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 May, Governor Otu said the state had secured an estimate of $3.5 billion in funding from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Pan-African multilateral financial institution, to commence the construction of Bakassi Deep Seaport.
The governor who signed the funding in Cairo, Egypt, during a workshop said that the funding will be used for some of its key infrastructure projects in the state.
In 2021, the Cross River State government solicited investors’ backing to aid the development of the proposed BIDS, which would be situated on a perimeter area of about 36,000 hectares under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The port project is expected to decentralise port business in Nigeria and bring it closer to businesses in the South-South, Eastern and Northern regions when completed.