By Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki Ebonyi state governor David Umahi has declared intention to partner with security agencies, especially the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC to prevent hoodlums from carting away government properties ahead of 2019 general elections.
Umahi made this known while addressing the commandants of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security operatives during a courtesy visit in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.
The governor represented by the senior special adviser on infrastructural maintenance, Chief Ali Odefa, said the partnership is very important as it will help the state government to prevent, arrest some hoodlums who are destroying and carting away properties of the government on daily basis.
He said: “I wish to appreciate the state commandant of the NSCDC who since her arrival in Ebonyi state has been cooperating with the state government. The way she has been relating with the people of the state is cordial and there was no clash or fight between the command and the people.
“Since she came to Ebonyi, the command has witnessed a tremendous infrastructural development. My boss (the governor) has regard for NSCDC and would like to continue partnering with the agency.
“The officers and men of NSCDC are recommended in every sector because of the way they discharge their duty. You hardly would hear that an officer of this corps is fighting with the civilian. You hardly would hear that there is accidental discharge from officers of this corps. Before you find officer of this corps reacting, you will know that he/she has been pushed to the wall.
“You know these days, because of the global security challenges which is not peculiar to Nigeria so also Ebonyi state. There are security challenges when you have workers working in the field.
“We invite the corps to partner with us not only in state building but also in nation building. Any society or country that is planning to move forward must not joke with issue of security.
“It is only where there is security that foreign investors will come to invest. It is only where there is security that democracy can thrive. It is only where there is security that the youths can grow to become good leaders tomorrow.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform this command that the government need more of your armed men in our sites and offices to protect our properties” he added.
Responding, the commandant Mrs Chinwe Kannu assured the state government of the readiness of NSCDC to arrest all hoodlums that are destroying and chartering away government properties.
“Umahi is the best performing governor in the south east. I promise that our agency will continue to improve and partner with the state government. Ebonyi must be crime free. I came to Ebonyi with the mission to catch all the culprits” she stated.
