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Fire, safety experts meet today at Securex exhibition

By Jamie Pearson
09 May 2023   |   4:26 am
The exhibition is important because it puts the spotlight on some very important subjects that affect people across the country. There are more than 75 speakers in the three days of the event presenting, discussing and engaging with each other and the audience on topics...

Jamie Pearson

Securex West Africa is one of three continental exhibitions that bring together security, fire and safety professionals across the security supply chain. It is an exhibition for professionals to place their products and services in front of over 3,000 highly engaged professionals in Africa’s biggest economy. The 2023 edition begins today, May 9, at the Landmark event Centre, Oniru Estate, Lagos. Speaking with THE GUARDIAN, the Marketing and Operations Director, Afrocet Montgomery JAMIE PEARSON throws more light on the event.

Why is this exhibition important?
The exhibition is important because it puts the spotlight on some very important subjects that affect people across the country. There are more than 75 speakers in the three days of the event presenting, discussing and engaging with each other and the audience on topics that range from the general security outlook for Nigeria, the aviation sector, protecting critical national infrastructure, biometrics and cyber security, kidnapping and then also dedicated days for the fire and safety sector and the rapidly development facilities management industry.

Away from the conference programme there will be more than 100 products and solutions on display from exhibitors coming from 17 different countries. Some of the items visitors will see for themselves include CCTV cameras, turnstiles, biometrics access controls, alarm systems, fire detection devices, data storage systems and apparel among many other items.

It really is the one platform for the industries to come together each year, understand the latest trends, hear about new opportunities and find solutions to secure their organisations assets.

What has the event achieved since it started in 2016 that the exhibition began?
This year will make the 11th edition and Over the years, it has always acted as the meeting point for the security industry and has developed to also incorporate the fire, safety, facilities management and smart cities elements that make up the event today. It has helped both the public and private sectors to drive real change in policy and how companies look to enhance the organisations security and safety procedures.

Given the security situation of the country, what are the factors to manage it?
The security challenges faced across Nigeria are varied and no one option will provide the answers. So I would say the more these topics are discussed and looked into from the top of government all the way to the person in the street, it will help to shape the narrative and formulate localised solutions to the problems that require them, that will then filter back into the overarching strategy to solve some of the more nationwide problems.

5. Many have talked about engaging the use of technology to address security issues, do you think Nigeria is ripe for that?
The products that are coming on the global market place are getting more and more advanced all the time and you can see these being put to good use in countries such as America and Japan. There is certainly an opportunity for Nigeria to start utilising more of these systems than it already does. In many areas technology is already used widely through access control and CCTV systems for example, but as the world continues to move further online the network capabilities that could be harnessed to help secure infrastructure, oil pipelines and schools and help speed up reaction times for security services, is certainly something that should be explored.

Do you think community policing is important?
I think in many respects it is required because of the size of the country, but there has to be limits to the levels it goes to. If communities are working together to ensure their safety it is only a good thing, but when needed the police should always be called, rather than taking matters into their hands.

How can Nigeria achieve fire safety?
Nigeria is working with standards authorities and associations to increase the regulations that are in place for new developments, which is very important to achieving a level of fire safety. These changes are also being implemented in places of work and hospitality but there is still a long way to go to ensure it is everywhere, including in the home. But with sessions such as the fire and safety conference programme today, Securex will be focusing on this area, as more people are coming together to discuss the topic on a regular basis that will help ensure these standards are reached as early as possible.

Kidnapping is a huge challenge in the country, what model should be employed to address it?
Kidnapping is indeed a challenge and is unfortunately becoming all the more frequent of late. It’s not an area I have much expertise in, however, we do have a session on the effects and how to avoid it on Wednesday, presented by Area Security Advisor for HeirsHoldings Oil & Gas Ltd, which will provide a detailed outline of a model that could be used.

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