The senator representing Cross River southern senatorial district, Asuquo Ekpenyong jr has called on the Nigerian Navy to intensify efforts to curb increasing maritime crimes in the South-South region, which is largely coastal.
Ekpenyong tasked the Navy protect Nigeria’s waterways.
The lawmaker spoke as Chairman of the 9th Public Lecture of the Institute of Public Policy and Administration, IPPA, organised by the University of Calabar which had as topic, ‘Coastal Insecurity and National Development: Addressing Maritime Vulnerabilities in Nigeria’.
Represented by Prof. Uti Egbai of the Unical, the senator described the lecture as timely given the current security climate.
He stated that maritime insecurity was a critical issue and called on the naval sector to intensify efforts to use it’s resources and platforms to contain and protect the nation’s waterways.
Guest lecturer and Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, emphasized that addressing maritime challenges requires politeness, patience and a willingness to collaborate.
He stressed the need for a coordinated approach that integrates security governance with economic development through enhanced coastal community engagement, upgrading the capacity of the Nigerian Navy and relevant MDAs, strengthening regional cooperation within the Gulf of Guinea, and actively promoting blue economy development, all aimed at effectively combating maritime threats and supporting national development.
Speaking earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, called on stakeholders and Nigerians to join hands in curbing coastal insecurity for national development.
He stressed that full partnership and public awareness were critical to addressing the challenge.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Anthony Eneji, Offiong noted that marine stakeholders were currently contending with numerous challenges in coastal areas, including kidnapping, smuggling, armed robbery at sea, and crude oil theft.
He said coastal insecurity remains a longstanding concern to government and society, and urged all hands to be on deck.
“Let us join hands to address coastal insecurity in Nigeria. One person cannot do this alone. The effort must be collective to ensure safety along our maritime coast,” Offiong added.