No Hiding Place For Criminals – Amaechi …As RSG Unveils New Secuirty Network

L-R: Vice President Namadi Sambo, award recipient, Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam, President Goodluck Jonathan and another award recipient, Prof. Emmanuel Yoloye, during the 2012 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award investiture in Abuja, yesterday.

With the expected delivery of two reconnaissance helicopters next month Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

Governor Amaechi said this yesterday while at a function tagged, “Rivers State Security Technology Innovation Forum 2012”, held at President Hotel, Port Harcourt.

The governor stated that the state government was spending much to assist the Nigerian Police and other security outfits to make the state safer and peaceful for all to live and do business .

He explained that when the helicopters arrive they will be integrated into the joint military security operations to comb all hideouts of criminals, “so that the moment anyone calls, the helicopter will scramble where you are.”

The chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) however said the Federal Government should fund the police adequately to meet current security challenges in the country, adding that extra funding and equipping of the police would tackle security.

While recommending job creation, the governor advocated for partnership between government and the private sector to fight poverty, which he blamed as partly responsible for rising insecurity in the country.

“We must as a people create jobs for our people. The more jobs we create the less crime in society,” Amaechi submitted.

In a related development, Rivers State has been rated as having the best information technology-based security network in the country.

Israeli-based security expert and chief consultant to the state government’s new ICT based security network RIVCLOUD, Mr David Meyers made the declaration during the unveiling of the Rivers State Security Technology Innovation Forum,  yesterday, in Port Harcourt.

Meyers who spoke on the benefits of the new security technology noted that since the inception of Governor Chibuike Amaechi in 2007, “the State has one of the best explosive device detection network stationed in strategic parts of the state.”

The Israeli security expert also said the state government invested enormous funds to boost infrastructure, which have in turn boosted the business and social environment in the state.

He however called for a long term security strategy, and said that security was a global challenge, especially with the heightened terrorism in the country.

Decrying the near absence of safety mechanism in the police, he recommended for more improved safety and paramedic for the police in the country saying, “at least one out of every police must have a paramedic.”

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii listed the advantages of the new security technology, stating that it would tackle both government and corporate challenges.

“Government has spent heavily on security, but unfortunately security is not what you see but what you can feel,” he said.

The secretary to State Government however called for synergy between government agencies to ensure that the objective of the ICT driven scheme was achieved.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the State Government on ICT, Goodlife Nmekini said government was poised to incorporate information technology in all facts of state development and planning.

Nmekini disclosed that over 400 pupils are being trained in the usage of ICT, adding that civil servants have already been trained in information technology.