FG banks on foreign assistance to tackle insecurity

Nigeria is to strengthen the joint action between its security forces and their foreign counterparts as it seeks solutions to its security challenges.

President Goodluck Jonathan said during the opening of the 12th meeting of the Honourary International Investors Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the  step was aimed at making the country investors’ preferred destination.

He said, “On the issue of security, we are building the capacity of the police and other related agencies to fight crimes and defeat terrorism.

“We have also strengthened coordinated joint action between our security agencies and their counterparts abroad.

“The recent overhaul of our security team should herald a fresh approach towards frontally tackling our security challenge in all its ramifications.”

Jonathan said his administration was not comfortable with the country’s poor rating by the Business Segment of the World Bank Group, the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum and the World Investment Report of the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development.

According to him, this informed the government’s transformation agenda  aimed at turning Nigeria’s huge potential into developmental realities.

Jonathan said he had approved the setting up of the Nigerian National Competitiveness Council in line with the recommendation of the World Economic Forum.

He  said the council would be responsible for creating awareness on national competitiveness and coordinating the efforts of both the public and private sectors to improve the nation’s competitiveness.

The President added that   the  Competition, Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Bill was in the process of being finalised by the National Council on Privatisation for onward processing to the National Assembly for passage.

Jonathan said to improve the  customs’ efficiency and foster collaboration with relevant government agencies, his administration was taking measures to modernise the Nigerian Customs Service.

He said the government intended to review the service’s legislation; introduce the Single Window concept; and introduce Ports and Customs reforms with emphasis on both trade facilitation and revenue generation.

The President said, “Our administration is more than ever committed to improving the economy, fighting corruption, developing infrastructure and ensuring the security of lives and property.”

Giving an update on the last council meeting held in 2011 in Paris, France, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Mr. Mustafa Bello, said the council observed the critical role of the power sector in national development and suggested that the approach be more aggressive and realistic on attainment of targets as encapsulated in the power sector roadmap.