Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the construction of a permanent command for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the State.
Speaking on Wednesday, when he received the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who paid him a working visit during his operational tour of the State, Governor Otti also granted approval in principle for the allocation of land for the project.
“I want to thank you for bringing the news of the approval by the Honourable Minister to construct a command. It is good news.
“When you get back, let the Honourable Minister know that we have already approved in principle a suitable land for the construction of the command”, Governor Otti said.
He further directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing to consult with him before the end of the week to identify and allocate a suitable parcel of land for the project.
Describing Security as the cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, Governor Otti noted that the relative peace in the State is a result of the proactive and coordinated efforts of the Security Agencies.
“For us, security is key; it is the most important thing in the State. Everything we are doing, whether it is building roads, schools, hospitals or bridges, will fail if security is not guaranteed.
“People must feel safe to move around, or else, even the best infrastructure will be abandoned”, he added.
He commended the dedication of the various security agencies operating in the State, noting that they are giving their best to ensure the protection of lives and properties of citizens.
“They don’t sleep so that our people can sleep. Anywhere there is a breach, in seconds they are there; the Army, the Police, the Navy, the DSS, your team, and others.
“Abia is blessed because some of the security challenges being experienced elsewhere are not happening here, even though we know it is difficult to attain 100% security”, he remarked.
Governor Otti also informed the NSCDC delegation of a successful Security Operation that took place earlier in the day, during which a criminal hideout in Isiukwuato was dismantled by Security forces.
While commending the Commandant General and his entourage for visiting Abia, he described Prof. Audi’s appointment as well-deserved, citing his intellectual capacity and competence and also thanked the CG for acknowledging the efforts of his administration in the area of Security.
In his remarks, NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Audi, said he was in Abia for an operational tour and to personally commend Governor Otti for his proactive approach to Security Management in the State and across Nigeria.
He announced that Abia was one of five states selected for the establishment of new NSCDC commands under the Federal Budget.
“Because of the way you have been responding to security issues, I would like to tell you that the Honourable Minister has approved the construction of Abia State Command from the Federal Budget”, Prof. Audi stated.
He appealed for the allocation of a centrally located parcel of land to ensure the new command is accessible and effective. “We want to give you a befitting command that will house the personnel of the Abia State command. It will go a long way to encourage them to give their best”, he said.
Prof. Audi expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the various forms of support the Corps has received, including logistics, vehicles, and inclusion in the State’s Joint Security outfit, “Operation Crush”.
He described the Governor as a “security-conscious leader” and “humility personified”, noting that it was rare to find a public leader so connected to the grassroots.
Governor Otti was joined at the meeting by the Special Adviser on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd); the Senior Special Assistant on Homeland Security and Fire Emergencies, Mr Chukwunenye Alajemba; and his Chief Security Officer, Sir Ken Nwosu.
The NSCDC delegation included the Abia State Commandant, Akinsola Aderemi A.; Deputy Commandant Emmanuel Ogoya (DC Operations – Abia Command); Deputy Commandant Ibrahim Yahaya (Rivers State Command); Assistant Commandant Okorie Chinomso E. (2i/c Operations – Abia Command); and CSC Uzoaru Prince (Officer-in-Charge, Government House), among other senior officers.
