Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the FCT Administration would purchase drones for border surveillance to stem insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Wike, who lamented the lack of tracking equipment for security agencies, particularly FCT Commands of the Police and the Department of State Service, disclosed his intention during a chat with a media section aired on TVC News yesterday.
The Minister, who was speaking on the security situation in the nation’s capital, disclosed that Police and DSS officers did not have tracking equipment and had to visit the headquarters of their agencies to lend the equipment for use any time they needed them for operations.
He said, “It’s unfortunate to say this, but mostly the security agencies, particularly the Police here, are not adequately equipped. You cannot believe that the Police Command of the FCT does not even have ordinary tracking devices.
“You cannot believe that. Not only do they, but even the FCT Command of the Department of State Services does not have it. The only one they have is at the headquarters. So, if there are things to do, they must go to the headquarters, which is not supposed to be. Luckily, I told Mr. President that we must do something, and there must be an emergency procurement of these.”
He explained that his administration had earlier applied to the Bureau of Public Procurement for emergency procurement of equipment for the security agencies but was denied until the President approved the emergency procurement in January, following the kidnap of some persons.
“That is one of the approvals Mr President gave us that we said look, we are going to purchase our own drones to help in surveillance and in operation, particularly within these boundaries where the topography is so bad, is so hilly, and where you have the forests.
“We have ensured that it is provided in the 2024 statutory budget. I briefed the National Assembly yesterday (Wednesday), and they were highly elated,” he said.
The FCT Minister discussed several other issues besides the security situation, such as the revamping of the Abuja light rail, which he reaffirmed would be ready for the President to commission in May.
Others are the city centre roads, which are being resurfaced, and the rural roads in each of the six area councils, which will all be ready for Mr. President’s commissioning in May, among other things.
