Insecurity: Defence agency advocates safety of critical national assets, infrastructure in Nigeria

*The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps discloses the increasing security threats can have devastating consequences, and threaten the national economy as well as the entire communities in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In view of the rising spate of insecurity in several parts of the West African country in recent times, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed the 18 identified critical national assets and infrastructure sectors of the economy, including telecommunications, electricity, transportation, water and oil pipelines, are increasingly under the threat of attacks by violent groups, insurgents and bandits.

Mr. Benito Eze, Assistant Commandant-General in charge of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure, disclosed this unpleasant development to reporters at a recent media briefing.

The NSCDC Assistant Commandant-General said: “These threats can have devastating consequences and could threaten the national economy and entire communities.

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“Oil pipelines used to be the most threatened sector, but in recent times, we are having more threats in the transportation sector.”

Eze noted that “there is no country that can be stable if its infrastructure elements are not of use; so they need to be protected for the smooth running of the government.

“Their collapse results in the collapse of the government. That is why we need to come together to ensure they are protected.”

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He also announced the launch of a security summit in partnership with relevant stakeholders titled, “Synergy: Panacea for effective Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection”, holding between September 27 and 29, 2021.

According to him, the proposed summit would introduce ways to safeguard infrastructure, including “public buildings, schools, elections, transportation, production and manufacturing infrastructure, among others.

“The event will provide an opportunity for participants to review the current security situation in the country.”

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Eze as well stated the forum would “assess the level of risks to critical assets and infrastructure and evolve ways to actively promote synergy among all the stakeholders.”

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In connection with the critical infrastructure sectors of the country’s economy, the NSCDC noted that the election management system and school educational facilities – have been added to the 16 initial critical infrastructure sectors.

He equally listed chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, and dams as part of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors.

Others are defence industrial base, emergency service, energy, financial services, food and agriculture and government facilities, said he.

The NSCDC chief yet added others are healthcare and public health, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), nuclear reactors, material and waste, transportation system, water and wastewater systems.