[News] Centralized security architecture has failed Nigerians – Senate
…Says urgent restructuring is required
By Anthony Okafor
THE Senate Monday, took a holistic overview of the current centralised security architecture in Nigeria, faulted it and described it as a failed system that must be overhauled in all its ramifications.
According to the Senate, “If we must get it right in the country, it has become imperative to restructure the security architecture.”
While fielding questions from Journalists, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who noted that though series of efforts had been made in the past by both the executive and the legislative arms of government to address challenges of insecurity in the country, the worsening security situation requires restructuring of the failing architecture.
Lawan said: “We have had series of engagements before but the escalation now has made it mandatory that we have a definite position as a government because we just cannot play politics with security issues.
“Lives are being wasted. Therefore, the Senate will take a position on how security in the country should be. We believe that the security architecture should be restructured.
“We believe that the security architecture should be restructured. The present system does not appear to give us the type of outcome we need. Whether it is the federal, state or local government; even the traditional rulers or others, the most important thing is to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and we must do that.
“Apparently and obviously, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we bring back a better security situation like we had before.
“Presently, the story is not good in many areas, so much is happening that is destabilising our communities, killing of our people and we believe that we owe Nigerians the responsibility to intervene and work with the executive arm of government, actually to work together with other tiers of government, the states and local government to ensure that we change the way we approach security issues in the country.
“The present arrangement is not working effectively and efficiently and we have to do something, and this time around, there shouldn’t be buck passing, we have to be forthright, we have to say it as it is, and we have to do it as it is required.”
The President of the Senate who reiterated that jinx will be broken when the Senate will pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, said that in the last ten years, there have been no investment in the Oil and Gas sector, hence it has become necessary to unravel the mystery behind the PIB.
Lawan said, “Secondly is the PIB – the PIB that has defied passage. We want to break that jinx. Whatever the mystery, we are determined to ensure that we pass the PIB before the endocrine this year by the grace of God. The PIB is so important because until you are able to pass that Bill or Bills – which ever happens – you cannot attract investments into the oil and gas industry. In the last 10 years there has not been investment in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.
“That is so important because we have lost so much and if we pass and by the grace of God we will, the enormous advantages and benefits will be important in catapulting the economy of Nigeria to the level that we desire and to the level Nigerians need.”
