By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has reiterated its commitment towards the protection of all Critical Assets and Infrastructures such as Oil Pipelines, Telecommunication Equipment, Electrical Power Installations, Railways, Roads, Schools amongst others.
According to a press release issued yesterday by the NSCDC, Director, Public Relations, CC Olusola Odumosu, the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi made this affirmation while reacting to reports about some officers and men of the Rivers State Command allegedly involved in harassment and molestation of some members of staff of the Port Harcourt Electrical Distribution Company, PHED, at Rumuola in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Audi stated that the core mandate of leading in Critical Infrastructures Protection emplaced the responsibility of safeguarding public utilities and keeping the citizens safe at all time.
He expressed displeasure over the incident and ordered a full scale investigation to determine the truth or otherwise of the complaint by PHED with a view to appropriating the right disciplinary actions if the officers were culpable.
The State Commandant, Micheal Besong Ogar, on his part stated that as a stakeholder and provider of essential services in Rivers Sttate, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED, remains an important partner enjoying focal attention for security coverage by the Command as evident in its deployment of men to guard their premises and facilities over the years.
He expressed regret over the action of his men and promises to get to the root of the matter, reiterating the Command’s commitment to continue working in synergy and harmony with all critical stakeholders in the state for the good of all.
“The officers were sent to PHED for enquiry into the unusual power outage experienced by the Command for days, not to intimidate or assault anyone.
“From the report at my disposal, there must have been a misunderstanding between the two parties, which may not have been properly handled.
“However, a committee had been set up to unravel what transpired and in due course, we will deal with the situation appropriately,” the Commandant said.
He frowned at the act of infringement and infraction on the fundamental human rights of innocent workers of the company, warning officers and men of the Command to desist from any public misconduct by applying the golden rule of the Corps which was “Humility and Integrity in service delivery” in the discharge of their duties at all time.
