The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has condemned the Federal Government for empowering some private security outfits in a pipeline surveillance contract to the tune of N4bn.
He expressed his displeasure over alleged refusal of the Federal Government to strengthen the security of the states who could have taken over such a contract in their respective states.
The governor stated this in a statement he signed and issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olabode Richard, on Wednesday.
According to the Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum, the action of the Federal Government has implied that it permitted private security outfits “to bear heavy assault weapons while denying the same privilege to the states, the federating units,” to tackle insecurity.
The statement read in part, “The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, has been consistent in its refusal to accede to the request by some states in the federation to strengthen the complementary initiatives adopted to protect lives and property. This is done in spite of the knowledge that the very issues which necessitated the creation of these outfits support providing adequate weaponry.
“It is, therefore, shocking to read that the FG has maintained the award of the contract to ‘protect’ the country’s pipeline from vandals to private organisations. This story, if true, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Consequently, it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non-state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying the same privilege to the states, the federating units.”
The governor added, “If state governments, which are keenly desirous of protecting their citizens, establish ancillary security outfits, and there has been pronounced reluctance, if not outright refusal, to consider permitting them to bear arms for the sole purpose of defence, granting private individuals and or organisations unfettered access to assault weapons suggests, curiously, deep-seated suspicion and distrust between the Federal Government and the presumed federating units.
“The engagement of private organisations to handle serious security challenges reinforces the belief that the whole defence architecture in the country needs an urgent overhaul. The Federal Government cannot be seen to be playing the ostrich in this regard.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, did not respond to calls made to his mobile line on the matter.
He also did not reply a text message seeking his comment on Akeredolu’s allegations.
