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

The call was the central focus of a three-day Inter-Agency Cooperation in Maritime Security Operations Seminar organised by the college for participants of Naval Warfare Course 10, which ended on Friday in Calabar.

The commandant of NWCN, Mohammed Muye, noted the growing threat of climate-induced disasters demands coordinated and proactive action.

Mr Muye noted that no single institution possesses the capacity to effectively tackle the increasingly complex challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime environment.

According to him, Cross River faces mounting threats from flooding, coastal erosion, storm surges and other marine environmental hazards driven largely by climate change and human activities. These challenges require a well-coordinated response anchored on effective planning, timely information sharing and sustained collaboration among security agencies, emergency management organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Mr Muye described the seminar as a strategic initiative aimed at deepening institutional partnerships, promoting the exchange of professional knowledge and developing practical solutions to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response within the state’s maritime domain.

“The complexity of today’s maritime disasters requires a united approach. Effective cooperation among all stakeholders is essential to safeguarding lives, protecting critical infrastructure and preserving the marine environment,” he said.

In a keynote address, the commissioner for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Helen Egodo, described the seminar as a timely intervention aimed at building resilient communities through effective partnerships.

Ms Egodo said the platform went beyond an academic exercise. She noted that it provided an opportunity for institutions to develop practical frameworks to improve emergency preparedness and disaster response across the maritime sector.

Ms Egodo identified the establishment of a Maritime Emergency Coordination Centre as a key recommendation for improving disaster management. She also listed regular multi-agency simulation exercises, development of a unified disaster information management system, and harmonisation of standard operating procedures among response agencies as critical measures.

According to her, institutionalising joint planning and capacity-building programmes would further strengthen disaster response.

Ms Egodo added that implementing these measures would significantly improve interoperability, enhance operational synergy and boost stakeholders’ collective capacity to prevent and respond effectively to maritime emergencies.

Chidozie Okehie, flag officer commanding, Eastern Naval Command, urged participants not to allow the seminar’s recommendations to remain on paper. Mr Okehie called on the State Emergency Management Agency to work closely with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, security and law enforcement organisations, maritime stakeholders, environmental institutions and host communities to implement the resolutions.

He stressed that strengthening inter-agency cooperation remains critical to protecting lives, safeguarding maritime resources and improving disaster resilience in Cross River.

Mr Okehie added that the seminar underscored NWCN’s growing role as a strategic think-tank fostering policy dialogue, professional development and institutional collaboration in support of Nigeria’s maritime security and national development objectives. 

(NAN)