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
