Oil and gas firms
operating in the Calabar Free Trade Zone (FTZ)  have donated 12 Security Patrol Vans to the Cross River Government to help secure the zone and Calabar metropolis.
The  Managing Director of Ibafon Petroleum, Mr Ignatius Edema,  who spoke on behalf of the firms at the presentation ceremony in Calabar, said the gesture was part of their corporate social responsibility.
Edema said although Cross River was rated as the safest state in the country, the companies decided to take a proactive step to secure their installations around the Calabar FTZ.
“It is our wish that the donation of these vehicles will improve upon motorised patrols to further enhance the enviable position of the state as the safest state in Nigeria.
“We built up security within and outside our depots and promised to partner with the state government in all security matters.
“The event we are witnessing today is the first phase of one of such measures we had agreed upon to check any security threat in the zone, “ Edema said.
He urged security operatives to ensure judicious use of the vehicles and to always extend their activities to the facilities at FTZ.
The firms which include Ibafon Petroleum, Dozie Oil and Gas and North West Petroleum, pledged to continuously support the state government’s efforts at ensuring sustained security and safety of lives and property.
Receiving the vehicles, Governor Liyel Imoke expressed his appreciation to the firms for partnering with the state in its efforts at making the state safe for investment.
“Let me express my sincere appreciation to our partners who are working with us assiduously to improve on the investment climate here by maintaining security in our environment, ‘’ Imoke said.
He assured investors in the state that the government would do everything within its power to create an environment conducive for their investments to thrive.
“When investment is secure, returns on investment are assured.
“Which is the reason why this partnership is imperative to maintain our established standard and sustain our reputation as the leading destination for investors in the country,” the governor said.