By David Lawani
The Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Mr Ayo-Yusuf Abimbola, has called on the Federal Government to look closely into the activities of private security agencies in the country.
The commission said the move has become imperative for better security coordination and the fight against threats posed by unscrupulous elements in society.
Abimbola said this while leading his team on Systemic and Proactive Investigation to assess the compliance level of some private security operators in the Federal Capital Territory, including Ace Global Integrated Security Konsult limited, and Makaira Global Security Service Limited both registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
The PCC Chief Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Investigation, Private Sector Unit, Ms Hanatu James, said the essence of the visit was to know what challenges they were facing and how the Federal Government attention could be drawn to issues affecting their operations.
She said that stakeholders in security management, especially in residential apartments and private facilities, needed to forge close relationships, and areas needing attention for support will be fine-tuned easily of operations as security was everyone’s responsibility.
She noted that the place of effective communication cannot be glossed over given the need to work as a team for a secure environment for all.
“We are here today to listen and hear from you what challenges you face in the course of doing your jobs. Security is everybody’s business. And communication is vital. We have to keep on communicating because with that, we are sure of defeating any form of threat from anywhere.
“We are stakeholders working together to achieve a better society. So much is depended on our shoulders. When we get appropriate information, we get it across to the government and they act on it speedily. It is like a feedback sort of a thing.
“It is part of our statutory responsibility in the act setting up Public Complaints Commission. People write to us with some complaints about what they face or what they are deprived of. So, we must wade into such matters and see that they are resolved sustainably. Those beyond our powers, we hand it over to the relevant authorities.
“If Nigeria is safe and residents can sleep with their eyes closed, it is the joy of everybody. And I think that is the essence of security. For everyone to be safe and secure wherever he or she may be,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of Ace Global Integrated Konsult Limited, Taiwo Bashiru, said he would be glad if the opportunity was given to them for an institute to train private security guards and when they are done they could be handed a certification which qualified them to be deployed anywhere in the country.
Also, the management of MGGS, who is in charge of Makaira Global Security Service Limited managing Efab Estate in Lokogoma, led by Princess Nanna Ngizi who was represented by Abdul Azeez Olalekan during the meeting in Lokogoma in Abuja stated that there should be a review in the yearly renewal of the operational license suggesting three years as a suitable time which will afford them the opportunity of preparing adequately for it. He said the yearly renewal is unhealthy for their operations.
