By Kingston Obung
Calabar
In its determined efforts to curb threat of sea pirates along the Calabar waterway, the management of Calabar Free Trade Zone, CFTZ, says it was collaborating with the Nigerian Navy as well as the Amphibious Training School, ATS, of the Nigerian Army.
Head of the CFTZ, Godwin Okimba Ekpe, who disclosed this during his visit to the two military formations in Calabar, said the collaboration would help in protecting critical infrastructure in the zone.
He said “with more oil tank farms now operating in the zone, in addition to other huge investments, it is imperative that the management collaborate with the armed forces to prevent any unfortunate security incident.”
Ekpe noted that the zone had enjoyed good security records from inception, but that the decision to go beyond manufacturing, which was the primary purpose of the zone, to other ventures like petroleum tank farm operators business; the risk level and need for increased security surveillance became very needful.
The team had first visited the ATS Infantry Brigade in Calabar and was received by the Commandant, Tomitokpe Ademola, who thereafter led them on a facility tour.
Speaking, Ademola gave assurance of the command’s routine surveillance and presence in the waterways and creeks.
At the NNS Victory command, the commander of Nigerian Navy Ship, Macaus Bobai, also assured of the continuous support of his men and the command to protect lives and property along the shorelines of the state.
He said the Navy was strategically positioned to ward off threats, and that his men could be seen every time in the waterways up to the Gulf of Guinea.
He lamented absence of flat bottom boats in their fleets which could have helped them navigate some challenging areas along the creeks.
Other management team members of the CFTZ on the visit were Austin Onyekwelu, Mrs. Obiola Oby, Alhaji, Mua’zu Shahabi and Ms Ugo Victoria.
