With a renewed commitment to ensuring adequate protection of the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure; the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Coprs has emerged as the Secretary of the Federal Coordinating Council for Protection Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.
This new development took place at the office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) in Abuja where the NSA who is also the Chairman of the Council said that Critical Infrastructure is a veritable tool for enhancing a nation’s economic development and the National Security.
The NSA in his inaugural speech hinted that Mr President holds the critical infrastructure and national assets of the nation very close to his heart and as such would not tolerate any lapses or shortfall in this regards.
“On behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces; Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,
I hereby inaugurate the Federal Coordinating Council of Critical Infrastructure and National Assets; it is important to note that the Council is part of the government relentless efforts and pragmatic steps to safeguard the nation’s valuable components as it’s effective protection would enhance the National Security”.
The NSA, Nuhu Ribadu further explained that CNAI which include the Transition System, Energy Grid, Communication network and essential services are backbone of the society.
He said in an ever-evolving landscape fraught with challenges; these Assets are also facing emerging threats from various sources such as Criminal Terrorists, Bandits, Economic Saboteurs, Malcontents, Cyber-attacks and other malicious threats.
The NSA hinted that the Council is not just a response to security threats but a proactive step towards fostering collaboration, innovation and strategic planning.
“Together we must lay the foundation for a resilient framework that would safeguard our nation’s Infrastructure… he said”.
He however called on Council members to be passionately dedicated to the economic stability, national security and justify public confidence with a sense of duty.
In sake vein the Hon. Minister of Interior; Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo the Council Co-Chairman appreciated Mr President for the establishment of the Council, he lauded the NSA for assembling all Stakeholders hoping that the challenges against the CNAI would be tackled head-on.
He assured the Council of the necessary support notiing that the Interior Ministry and the NSCDC whose core mandate is ensuring the protection of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure would do everything possible by putting our best to salvage the nation’s economic from saboteurs.
The NSCDC CG in his remarks affirmed the Corps’ commitment to the statutory mandate of Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation;
He further outlined the composition of the Council as: the NSA as the Chairman, the Interior Minister as a Co-Chairman, the FCT Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Inspector General box Police ( IGP), Director Generals of the Department of State Services and National Intelligence Agency, the CGs of Correctional Service, Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Corps Marshall of FRSC, DG, National Orientation Agency, among others as Members while the CG NSCDC is the Coordinating Secretary of the Council.