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By John Amaowoh, Port Harcourt
Critical stakeholders in the private security sector across the South South geo-political zone have raised concerns over the perceived high cost of registration of private security companies (PSCs), as well as gave strong voice for their full involvement in the security architecture and development of the country.
The stakeholders, at a one day capacity-building workshop organized by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, with the theme: ‘Raising Awareness and Discussion on Challenges And Opportunities, Presented by Private Security Sector As Well As Ways To Strengthen It’s Governance In A Muliti-Stakeholders Approach In Nigeria’, identified several models through which the gaps in the nation’s security architecture and other constraints presented can be resolved.
They frowned at the high cost of licensing and other challenges facing private security owners in the country as well lamented government’s slow recognition of the important contributions the PSCs play in tackling security issues in the country, adding that the inclusion of alien (foreigners) operatives in the security management of the nation is an issue that must be dwelt on.
Declaring the workshop open, the commandant general, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Muhammadu G. Abdullahi, represented by the Rivers State commandant, Murtala Lawal, said that with the raising security challenges in the country, the PSCs are very well positioned, and are already contributing significantly, in providing effective security services and public safety in the country.
According to the commandant general, the baseline study on Private Security Governance in Nigeria conducted by African Law Foundation (AFRILAW) is very apt and will help the nation to have a better understanding of private security governance, regulatory and operational challenges, especially on what can be done to improve public security and safety in Nigeria.
He explained that NSCDC, as the regulatory agency for PSCs, is aware of most of the difficulties confronting effective private guard company operation in Nigeria and the related governance and regulatory challenges.
He however said that the NSCDC has started “tackling the challenges by developing the Private Guard Companies regulations of 2018 which was approved by the honourable Minister of Interior, and improving their training standards and certification including monitoring and supervision.”
In her presentation, Dr. (Mrs) Chinyere Erondu, lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt and chairman of the occasion, identified several challenges facing effective delivery of private security in the country, noting that the challenges include conflict of interest in the operations and regulation of PSCs, registration and licensing, training and capacity building and working conditions, welfare etc.
She however recommended effective reformation of the private security sector regulatory and legal framework, improving the training standards and professional development of the PSCs personnel, strengthening NSCDC for optimum performance and service delivery, promoting professional code of conduct, ethics and human rights standards for PSCs as necessary solutions that would correct some of the challenges faced in the sector.
Vice President of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Rev. Mark Abere, in his remark, decried government’s slow approach to identifying the effective role played by private security organizations in the country, while calling for strong synergy between the private and public security sectors in the country.
Earlier, founder/CEO of African Law Foundation, Barr Chinwike Okereke, said the aim of the programme, supported by DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), is to raise awareness and have a discussion with stakeholders in the South South on the issues of security and development and on what can be done to improve the nation’s security architecture, adding that his organization and their partners are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria to step up the game in resolving security and development challenges in the country.
High point of the event was a solution exercise by participants, cutting across the civil society organisations, media and other security organisations, as well as goodwill messages from the Nigeria Police, military, DSS, etc.
