Cross Rivers State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu Seeks Deployment of More Nigerian Navy Personnel, Equipment to Bakassi, Expresses Concern over Cameroon’s Deployment of Naval Forces

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has said that the Nigerian Navy is set to establish new Forward Operations Bases (FOB) in the Waterways and high seas of Cross Rivers State which form the Eastern flanks of Nigeria’s Coastal sea lanes to beef up security of Maritime economy and the Bakassi Seaport which is being planned

This is just as the Governor of Cross Rivers State; Sen. Bassey Edet Otu has called on the Nigerian Navy to increase its presence by deploying more personnel and equipment to the Bakassi area of the state to ensure security for the three islands remaining in the country after two of the original five Bakassi islands were ceded to Cameroon.

Vice Admiral Ogalla disclosed the Nigerian Navy’s plan to establish the FOBs when Governor Otu paid a courtesy call to naval headquarters, Abuja on Monday to solicit the Navy’s collaboration in expanding its presence in the coastal area.

The Governor had said, “We need a serious naval presence at the Bakassi peninsula. Although we are aware that the federal government ceded two out of the five islands of which we are the same people and the matter is still ongoing, to Cameroon. The fact right now is that the Cameroon Navy has increased their presence with more ships in the ceded part of Bakassi which is just across each other.

“We are here to let the Navy know that we need to do the same in our part of the island as well because our part of the island is not fully manned. We know issues of security particularly with the Navy and equipment is capital intensive. However, when it comes to security of our people and efforts to boost trade, we will spare no effort to make our state safe especially with the coming of the Bakassi seaport

“So we are here to alert the Chief of Naval Staff, that there is urgent need for the Navy to scale up its presence. We are ready to support the Navy with equipment like a steamship to enable them performs their duty in other for Nigeria to defend its territory and secure our trade lines.

He commended the Nigerian Navy for the wonderful efforts in providing and ensuring security for the state particularly in the riverine communities of the state noting that the Nigerian Navy deserves kudos for the relative peace and security being enjoyed in the state.

Responding, Vice Admiral Ogalla said Cross Rivers State is a strategic coastal state not only for the Nigerian Navy but Nigeria as a whole noting that it is the gateway to the nation from the eastern corridor hence there is absolute necessity to fill in the gaps in terms of provision of security.

“In line with your request, we are going to review our operational strategies to see to the establishment of Forward Operational Bases ensure and provide more security. I promise that as you are leaving this headquarters, work is commencing towards coming up with the modalities of bringing these plans to fruition” the CNS said.

He added that the Bakassi seaport project would help boost Nigeria’s economy especially now that the Apapa Port in Lagos is becoming congested hence more Naval presence was required. In this regard, the CNS said the Hydrographer of the Nation and Nigerian Navy would be brought in to carry out proper and correct hydrographic delineation of the sea lanes.