The Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN) has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, emergency management institutions and other stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and response in Cross River’s maritime environment.

 

The call was made at a three-day Inter-Agency Cooperation in Maritime Security Operations Seminar organised by the college for participants of Naval Warfare Course 10 in Calabar.

 

The seminar, with the theme, “Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration for Enhanced Disaster Response in Cross River State’s Maritime Environment,” focused on strengthening coordinated responses to climate-related maritime disasters.

 

Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Mohammed Muye, said no single institution could effectively tackle the growing security and environmental challenges in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

 

He warned that flooding, coastal erosion, storm surges and other hazards driven by climate change and human activities require effective planning, timely information sharing and sustained collaboration among relevant agencies.

 

Muye described the seminar as a strategic platform to deepen institutional partnerships, promote professional knowledge sharing and develop practical solutions for disaster preparedness.

 

He said effective cooperation among stakeholders was essential to safeguarding lives, protecting critical infrastructure and preserving the marine environment.

 

Delivering the keynote address, the Cross River Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Helen Egodo, represented by Dr Edet David, said the seminar provided an opportunity for institutions to develop practical frameworks to strengthen emergency preparedness and disaster response across the maritime sector.

 

Egodo recommended the establishment of a Maritime Emergency Coordination Centre, regular multi-agency simulation exercises, a unified disaster information management system and harmonised standard operating procedures, alongside joint planning and capacity-building programmes to improve interoperability among response agencies.

 

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, urged participants to ensure the seminar’s recommendations were implemented, calling on the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), relevant ministries, security agencies, maritime stakeholders, environmental institutions and host communities to work together to strengthen disaster management.

 

Okehie said stronger inter-agency cooperation remains critical to protecting lives, safeguarding maritime resources and improving disaster resilience in Cross River, adding that the seminar reinforced the Naval War College’s role in promoting policy dialogue and institutional collaboration in support of Nigeria’s maritime security objectives.