The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI,has emphasized the need with prudent use of N2.41 trillion earmarked for the defence and security sector in the 2022.
President of the chamber,Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, who gave the suggestion in a statement,also said there was need to put in place checks to prevent the diversion of funds to other uses like sponsoring political activities.
He said:”In 2019, Nigeria had the third-largest military budget in Africa, behind only South Africa and Algeria. At the state and local government (LG) levels, governors and local government chairpersons have severally been accused of regularly mismanaging “security votes,” a monthly federal allocation towards security-related expenses within the states. There is a need for better accountability in the disbursement of these funds for suitable projects”.
He advised President Muhammadu Buhari,to convene a National Council of State meeting to deliberate on the several issues around politics, the economy, insecurity, and the forthcoming general elections.
He also called on the Federal and State Governments to expedite actions to restore peace, law, and order in the country before the full-scale launch of political campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
He said:”If we do not commit to a new order and a more enabled and innovative security architecture, soon, security will suffer a heavier blow once politics takes centre stage in governance. The major challenge waiting for the incoming Nigerian president (likely a civilian) will be to resolve the security crises. Still, first, we must restore and preserve law and order in Nigeria today for us to be able to hold the elections next year. Majority of Nigerians still have confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari, being an accomplished and retired Army General to be well equipped to tackle Nigeria’s daunting security challenges”.
Nigeria,he said,needs a surveillance infrastructure that is monitored in real-time to respond to emergencies and foil planned crimes,adding that this calls for more technology deployment to gather intelligence, provide 24/7 responsive surveillance, and track persons’ movements and activities, especially in already troubled areas.
