Protect national assets for economy growth — NSCDC tasks stakeholders
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has tasked stakeholders on the need to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) for the economic growth of the country. Mr Oluyemi Ibiloye, NSCDC State Commandant, made the call at the Stakeholders Coordination meeting organised by the command on protection of CNAI held on Wednesday in Akure.
Ibiloye said the meeting was part of the directives from the office of the National Security Adviser through the office of NSCDC Commander General.
He said there was need for security agencies and citizens to rise up and fight against destruction of CNAI. According to him, the corps will not relent in his mandate to protect all CNAI for the betterment of the nation.
Our CNAI are the things that make life easy for us. We know the kind of suffering and pains we go through when our transmission or telecommunications are affected. A lot of things happen when most of our infrastructure are being tampered with, especially when roads are destroyed which could lead to accidents and loss of lives.
So, it is time for us as security agencies and others stakeholders to forge a common front ahead because it is our collective responsibility. Let’s start now, so that our CNAI could be proper protected,” the commandant said. Ibiloye, who said the rate of destruction of CNAI was relatively low in the state, said the command had arrested some vandals who were currently facing the full wrath of the law.
Mr Olumide Atilara, Regional Head, Akure, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), who commended NSCDC for the stakeholders meeting, said the vandalisation of transformers, cables, lines, and others hindered their performance in the state. For instance, about 8,000 meters of aluminum conductors (150mm) were carted away and when this happened, it causes negative effects to customers, communities and brings economic hardship, he said. He, therefore, appealed to security agencies to go on surveillance around the CNAI, saying it would equip BEDC staff with the confidence to carry out their duties.
Similarly, Mr Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), represented by his Principal Manager, Mr Okedele Sunday, called on community leaders and others to join hands with the security agencies for protection of national assets.
Also, Mr Tomide Akiribido, Chairman, Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), promised the state government’s continuous support for the security agencies to secure CNAI. On our part as a state government, we are planning to deploy Closes Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance cameras and remote sensors to secure some of this assets in the state, he said.
The 32 member State Coordination Committee for the protection of CNAI were inaugurated. Also, Sector Commander of FRSC, Comptroller of Correctional Service, representative of Police, Federal Fire Service, DSS, Army, Council of Traditional Rulers, among others were present at the meeting.
