NSCDC to use ICT for pipelines, mining sites protection

Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has revealed the Corps’ commitment to the use new information communication technologies (ICT), for the monitoring and protection of mining sites and petroleum pipelines, against illegal operators and vandals.

The Commandant-General disclosed this at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja to mark the celebration of the 2016 world Civil Defence Day celebration, which is marked every 1st March.

He disclosed that the corps has deployed 3000 personnel to the various mining sites in the country and 5000 to the Northeast among others.
“The adoption of new technologies has helped to enhance our performance over the years while at the same time playing a vital role in the mitigation and prevention of disasters,’ he said.

Muhammadu said the Corps in line with the umbrella body (ICDO) in Geneva, Switzerland, is in the process of deploying modern mechanisms, which are ICT-driven to help inject professionalism into the operations of Civil Defence in order to conform with international best practice. He reiterated that this can only be achieved in Nigeria through the upgrading of the Civil Defence Academy, Abuja, into a modern ICT-based Institution, involved in training and retraining of personnel on modern technologies.

International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) Secretary General, Vladimir Kuvshinor said, “This year, we are not only celebrating World Civil Defence Day, but we are also commemorating the 85th anniversary of our Organisation.”
Kuvshinor further stated that, the importance of Scientific and technological solutions to complex problems presented by disasters cannot be over- emphasised, noting that in social realities, new technologies must be implemented in such a way as to benefit the largest possible segments of the civilian, children, the disabled and the elderly.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanieri sought for collaboration and partnership with the Corps in the area of disaster prevention and mitigation.

He said the Corps is a critical stakeholder in disaster management, hence, the need to bring other stakeholders together.