NSCDC affirms commitment to protection of critical infrastructure

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment towards the protection of all Critical Assets and Infrastructures such as Oil Pipelines, Telecommunication Equipment, Electrical Power Installations, Railways, Roads, Schools amongst others.

A statement issued yesterday by NSCDC spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, said the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, affirmed this while reacting to reports about some officers and men of the Rivers State Command allegedly involved in harassment and molestation of some members of staff of the Port Harcourt Electrical Distribution Company (PHED) at Rumuola in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He stated that the core mandate of leading in Critical Infrastructures Protection emplaced the responsibility of safeguarding public utilities and keeping the citizens safe at all time.

He expressed displeasure over the incident and ordered a full scale investigation to determine the truth or otherwise of the complaint by PHED with a view to appropriating the right disciplinary actions if the officers are culpable.

The State Commandant, Micheal Besong Ogar, on his part stated that as a stakeholder and provider of essential services in Rivers Sttate, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) remains an important partner enjoying focal attention for security coverage by the Command as evident in its deployment of men to guard their premises and facilities over the years.

He expresses regret over the action of his men and promises to get to the root of the matter, reiterating the Command’s commitment to continue working in synergy and harmony with all critical stakeholders in the state for the good of all.

“The officers were sent to PHED for enquiry into the unusual power outage experienced by the Command for days, not to intimidate or assault anyone.

“From the report at my disposal, there must have been a misunderstanding between the two parties, which may not have been properly handled.

“However, a committee had been set up to unravel what transpired and in due course, we will deal with the situation appropriately,” the Commandant said.

He frowns at the act of infringement and infraction on the fundamental human rights of innocent workers of the company, warning officers and men of the Command to desist from any public misconduct by applying the golden rule of the Corps which is “Humility and Integrity in service delivery” in the discharge of their duties at all time.

Senate President: Group canvasses support for Sen. Akpabio

Asocio-political group, Us4Us Movement, has canvassed the support of the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Sen. Godswill Akpabio to be become the 10th Senate President.

Convener of the group, Mr Richard Romanus, made the call during an interaction with newsmen after an extraordinary meeting of the group held on Sunday in Calabar.

Romanus said that Akpabio had made huge political sacrifices for the party; hence he should be rewarded and supported for the position of the 10th President of the Senate.

He explained that the Us4Us Movement is made up of young political enthusiasts across all political parties in Nigeria.

According to him, the group exist with the sole aim of advancing the socio-political wellbeing of young people and advocating for good governance in Nigeria.

“Bearing in mind the huge sacrifices Sen. Akpabio made in the interest of the party and for stepping down his presidential ambition unconditionally for Sen. Bola Tinubu, he should be compensated.

“His stepping down overwhelmingly helped in midwifing a seamless victory for Sen. Tinubu during the national convention of the APC.

“Also, we are aware that Sen. Akpabio worked assiduously to deliver more than the constitutionally required 25 per cent vote to the APC in a Peoples Democratic Party controlled state like Akwa Ibom.

“The leadership of Us4Us Movement hereby resolve to support and appeal for Sen. Akpabio to be elected as the Senate President of the incoming 10th Assembly.

“We call on the vast majority of elected Senators to galvanize their support for the Senate Presidential ambition of Akpabio,” he said.

Romanus added that in the interest of fairness and expanding the party in the South South geopolitical zone, the leadership of the APC should zone the office of the Senate President to the South-South region.

He noted that the Us4Us Movement was of strong opinion that the interest of young people, especially within the South-South geopolitical zone, would be best protected by Akpabio as Senate President.

“We the members of Us4Us Movement hereby unanimously adopt and endorse Akpabio for Senate President, on the strength of his unrivalled track record of performance and commitment to the party and the people of Nigeria.

“We urge other elected members of the incoming 10th Senate and the leadership of the APC to overwhelmingly support Akpabio in the spirit of fairness, credibility and competence,” he said. (NAN)