As the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) joins the world to mark this year’s International Civil Defence Day (ICDO) , minister of interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has charged the corps to ensure proper protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in the country, and fight all types of criminality to the barest minimum.
He gave the charge when he joined the NSCDC to mark the day with the theme; Honour Heroes and Promote Safety Skills, at the national headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
The minister who also inaugurated 50 corps marshals saddled with the responsibility of protecting mining sites and commissioned some operational vehicles, said; “As gallant officers and men who are known for commended strides, you must achieve a safer and crime-free Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo urged the corps to live up to its mandate as he requested for a sustainable implementation plan for the protection of infrastructures across the country.
He said, “Every pipeline, telecommunication tower destroyed is a minus for the Civil Defence Corps, a solid mineral soil tampered with is a minus for the corps. You must realise that you have a lot of work to do and if you do not occupy your space, someone else will, so you can only remain relevant by virtue of efficiency.
“As a security agency, the more you do, the more you have a lot to be done and must not be tired but willing to do more,” he said.
He further ordered the corps to implement the law of supporting the Fire Service as well as providing succour and support to them during national emergencies.
“The Civil Defence has a lot of work to do. You are unarguably one of the most sensitive and broadest mandates,” the minister said.
According to Tunji-Ojo, there might be need to review the criteria for the establishment of Private Guard Companies (PGC).
“We must be able to upscale our requirements and make PGC a profession of pride because PGC are security related,” he said.
He added that he had summoned an emergency board meeting for the allocation of peculiar allowances that is due to personnel.
He charged the newly decorated mining marshals to be ambassadors of the ministry, Nigeria and make the corps shine in the committee of security organisations.
NSCDC Commandant – general (CG), Ahmed Audi, who was also celebrating his third year as the NSCDC boss, said the squad was to protect mining sites, detect and apprehend illegal miners.
“The mining industry sometimes have these bad guys who hide in our forest and so it will not be a simple task but we are capable as our men have been well trained and are members of the special forces.
“They will work with sister agencies especially the Military and in conjunction with the Ministry of Solid Minerals,” he said.
