Minister of Police Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has revealed the federal government’s move to farm out the operational activities of the $490 million National Public Security and Communication System (NPSCS) to a private company in order to operate on a commercial basis, in a bid to strengthen the security services of the country. Meanwhile, the decision to concession the project has been approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
While giving the scorecard of the ministry at a press conference in Abuja, Dingvadi noted that the authorizations automatically enable the National Communications Commission (NCC) to issue an operating license to the firm, MPS, to manage the country’s security system for the interest of the general public. He explained that the decision was taken to ensure that Nigeria did not lose out on the vital project, which the Chinese Eximbank is financing on terms agreed between Nigeria and China.
100 out of the 689 operating site towers have been rehabilitated.
According to Dingvadi, when fully implemented, the NPSCS would enable the police to oversee and monitor everything happening across the country in real-time from a command center handled by the police for proactive policing, prompt response to situations as well as to overhaul the security challenges plaguing the country. He also stated that the concessionaire had taken charge of the project with an action commenced reviving facilities geared to place the operations at the peak.
Moreover, the National Communications Commission (NCC) has granted the company MPS Universal Access Service License to commence operations at large. A recent report by the MPS shows that out of the 696 operating site towers, 100 have been successfully rehabilitated, while 10 out of the 37 data centers across Nigeria have also been rehabilitated. The NCC is in the final phase of issuing operating licenses to the concessionaire to embark on full commercialization of the facilities, which will, in turn bring benefits the country economically and sense of security.
Police affairs ministry moves to concession NPSCS.
In addition, the Ministry of Police Affairs’ move to concession the National Public Security Communication System (NPSCS) has also received the authorization of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). This is to ensure the smooth operational running of the vital security scheme. The NPSCS was installed in all 36 states across the federation except Borno, which was left out due to the severe challenges encountered by the state during the period the project was carried out.
Within his statement when asked to comment on the continuous destruction of INEC facilities in the South East, Dingyadi stated that such unlawful and criminal occurrences would not be allowed to deter the electoral process in any part of the country, no matter how intense it was. He gives his word that the government would do all in its power to hold elections that are free, fair, credible, and problem-free.
Reiterating on the ministry’s mandate of ensuring safety.
On the kind of police force his ministry has groomed since the advent of the Buhari administration in 2015, the police affairs minister boasted that he was satisfied with the grooming of a new crop of police officers and men who are friendly, responsive and responsible but appealed to Nigerians to cooperate and support them to perform better for Nigerians. The minister said the ministry would, however, continue to monitor the operations of police officers and men to ensure that they meet the expectations of Nigerians at all times.
Related Link
MPS: Website
