Terrorism, banditry and herdsmen attacks in Nigeria’s northern region as well as armed robbery and kidnapping in the south are putting the private sector and its huge investments in constant peril, with many players left with little or no options.
Several farmers have fled the tense states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and manufacturers have long withdrawn their staff and relocated their businesses after destructions of their factories and killing of staff members.
Telecoms masts running into billions of naira have been destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents, with some of the players avoiding many parts of Borno and Adamawa.
“Nigeria was ranked 148th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2019 and was placed among the five least peaceful countries in sub-Saharan Africa along with violence-ridden countries such as Somalia, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic,” Toki Mabogunje, president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said.
These rankings for Nigeria in the area of security give cause for concern, she said at the 4th edition of Security Meets Business held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Mabogunje said the current situation had significant implications for the business environment, including increasing cost of providing additional security by firms as they would not be able to conduct their business without providing additional security.
“As a promoter of private enterprise, it is our firm belief that we must continue to adopt innovative ways to address legacy and emerging security issues,” she said.
Security agencies, however, say they require the support of the private sector to function effectively.
Abayomi Olonisakin, chief of defence staff, who was represented by Ado Inuwa, an air vice marshal, said citizens should actively engage in promoting security.
“Collaboration between the business community and the security agencies would enrich the strategies and effectiveness of current efforts at tackling the security challenges in the country,” he said.
Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, who was represented by Amina Shamaki, said the government was making efforts to provide sustainable solutions to ensure security in the country.
Economic and social development is determined by security, said Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, adding that security was something everyone should be interested in and also actively participate in.
“The Nigerian Army has continued to upgrade its tactics and mode of operation. However, Nigeria does not own its security architecture. We need to own ourselves and our country. Nigeria needs to develop its own solutions where strategic partners can contribute,” Buratai said.
ODINAKA ANUDU & GBEMI FAMINU
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