The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has begun the procurement processes for drones to boost the security architecture of the territory.
Wike disclosed this when the Consul-General of the Embassy of Hungary in Nigeria, Mr Endre Deri visited him in Abuja yesterday.
The Minister, while responding to the consul-general’s comments on the need for drones, said, “On security, we don’t have issues because we have been able to reduce the incidents of insecurity. You too can attest to the fact that Abuja is safer now, because of the way we have been able to tackle the issue.”
“For us, it has been in our procurement process to have drones but unfortunately I am not an expert. I will let the security experts that are in charge discuss with your experts so that they can identify the type of drones that are effective and efficient in our area. Whether we want some drones, yes there is no going back.”
He promised to discuss with the security experts and to consider a conversation with Deri on the type of drones that would be effective and efficient work based on the terrain of FCT.
He said that security was part of President Bola Tinubu’s priority in his “Renewed Hope” agenda.
The Minister said that the security interventions in the FCT were already yielding results, stressing that the incidents of insecurity had drastically reduced.
“You too can attest to the fact that Abuja is safer now, because of the way we have been able to tackle the issue,” he added.
On agriculture, Wike said that the FCTA was open to collaborating with Hungary through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), adding that the administration was willing to provide the needed land.
“The issue of agriculture is very key, and I know your country is doing well in agriculture. We can collaborate and partner in terms of PPP. We are willing to provide land, if you can reach those concerns we can start the process. Let us also know what they intend to produce to address the issue of food insecurity in FCT,” he said.
Earlier, Deri expressed the willingness of Hungary’s willingness to sell drones to the FCTA to address security concerns and presented a proposal for collaboration.
The consul general, who commended the minister for improving the security situation in the FCT, expressed the willingness of his country to support the FCT with the latest drone technology.
“We are also interested in partnering with the FCTA in the areas of agriculture to boost food security and food safety for residents of the FCT,” he added.
