Activist To DTSG: Launch State Owned Security Control Room To Monitor Security, Relax Pressure On Public Space

..Rejects Jail Terms, Fines For Offenders

By Daniel Dafe

The security situation and current trends in kidnappings and other crime-related activities in Delta State call for robust measures to strengthen security and minimize crime, Comr.(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen,
National Coordinator,
Initiative For Social Rights Concerns
And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace,” has said.

The rights activist who said this in a statement on Monday, added: “The proposed penalties, including a 2-year jail term, ₦500,000 fine, and premises sealing for non-compliance with specific surveillance camera installation, may not be the optimal approach, given existing state laws.”

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Recall that over the weekend, Secretary to the Delta State Government; Dr. Kingsley Emu, on behalf of the State, directed business owners in public places to install specific surveillance cameras as part of their roles to assist government and security agencies in the fight against crimes.

Agberen continued: “In a democratic society, a government’s primary responsibility is to protect and safeguard its citizens’ lives, which is a right, not a privilege. Failure to do so undermines its ability to accomplish other purposes.

“In a moment when Nigerians are agonised over repressive, depressing and distressing socio-economic situations, going by the hike in fuel prices, astronomic costs of commodities, transportations and other unbëãrãblë conditions; a state government is expected to implement policies and programs that will benefits the people. Unfortunately, governance today no longer focus on its core values but her pleased to dish out whatever services they think is best without considering the people therefore making democracy untrue. Many businesses, schools, enterprises are struggling and are at the verge of collapsing, especially when there are no loans or welfare benefits coming from the government.

“Aside the cost of installing facilities and equipment, CCTV installation requires a constant electricity supply to function effectively without interruption. However, in a state like hers, where people cannot rely on a stable power supply, this poses a serious concern. We cannot expect business owners to run these facilities with generators, given the cost of petrol, nor can we expect them to install solar energy to run these aspects, considering the cost. How can we expect businesses to survive?

“Interestingly, most fuel stations, business areas, and public places with CCTV installations are not fully operational, often serving only as a display and remaining turned off. These aspects are accompanied by many challenges among which is vandalism. A premise that lacks security cannot successfully install CCTV, as most of these equipments are removed or stolen most times, even by the people employed to watch other them.”

According to him, the State Government should consider replicating the strategies employed by Lagos State, FCT Abuja, and Edo State in monitoring and addressing insecurity challenges, and avoid imposing excessive fines on Deltan indigenes and residents, taking into account the economic challenges and limitations.