Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the state’s waterways and creating an enabling environment for maritime investments.
Otu declared that Cross River’s coastal corridor remains a safe and profitable destination for local and international investors. The Governor gave the assurance on Saturday during an inspection visit to the Calabar Marina Business Hub, where he toured the newly introduced MV-Eja, a ferry owned by SeaExpress, now operating on the Calabar-Cameroon commercial route.
Accompanied by the Commissioner for Transportation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham; the Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Ms. Melodie Lebo; and other maritime stakeholders, Governor Otu expressed delight at the scale and quality of the investment, describing it as a clear demonstration of growing investor confidence in Cross River State.
He noted that the state’s strategic location and expanding blue economy present enormous opportunities for economic growth and regional trade.
Speaking during the tour, Governor Otu lauded the promoters of the project for choosing Cross River as their investment destination despite having opportunities elsewhere across the globe. He assured the management of SeaExpress Transit of the full support of his administration in safeguarding the investment and providing the necessary government backing to ensure its success.
“We are proud of this investment, coming down from the United States just to invest in your motherland,” the Governor declared. “You could have chosen anywhere else, so on that note, we owe you all the necessary support as a people and as a government to ensure that this huge investment is not in vain. We will continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses like yours to thrive.”
Addressing concerns over maritime safety, Governor Otu reiterated that the protection of lives, property and investments remains one of the cardinal responsibilities of government. He stressed that his administration has demonstrated an uncompromising stance against criminality through sustained investments in security architecture across the state.
“Security is the core responsibility of government,” he stated. “This administration has zero tolerance for any form of criminality. That is why we have invested heavily in strengthening security across Cross River. You have our full backing, and I assure you that you will never regret investing in the maritime sector of our state.”
The Governor further seized the opportunity to invite prospective investors to take advantage of the vast commercial opportunities embedded in Cross River’s expansive waterways within the Gulf of Guinea, particularly the Calabar-Cameroon trading corridor. According to him, the state’s blue economy remains one of the most promising frontiers for commerce, transportation, tourism and regional integration, with government fully committed to unlocking its immense potential.
Responding on behalf of SeaExpress Transit, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Thompson Eja, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Otu for personally visiting the facility and reassuring investors of government support. He commended the Governor’s firm declaration of zero tolerance for insecurity, describing it as a confidence booster for businesses operating within the maritime sector.
“We are deeply encouraged by Your Excellency’s visit and your unequivocal commitment to securing investments. We look forward to partnering closely with the Cross River State Government to enhance service delivery and further expand maritime transportation in the region,” Eja said.
The visit climaxed with the presentation of a commemorative plaque of honour to Governor Otu by Dr. Eja in recognition of the Governor’s support for the maritime industry and for boarding the MV-Eja. The symbolic gesture underscored the growing partnership between the Cross River State Government and private investors in advancing the state’s vision of becoming Nigeria’s leading hub for the blue economy and maritime commerce.
