Group urges DTSG to launch state owned security control room(CCTV), says, it is Govt's duty to protect citizens

Following the Delta State Government's directive that business owners in public places to install specific surveillance cameras as part of measures to assist the Government and Security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality in the state, a group under the auspices of Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) a.k.a “No Justice, No Peace” today said it is government's primary responsibility to protect(safeguard ) the lives of its citizens in democratic societies.

In a press statement signed and made available to newsmen  by the National Co-ordinator, ISRCA Comr.(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen said the directive by the government may not be the best  approach, given existing state laws.

The statement said, it is the responsibility of the Government  to protect the citizens as Government's failure to do so, undermines its ability to accomplish its primary duty ."

According to the statement, at a time like this  when Nigerians are agonised over repressive, depressing and distressing socio-economic situations, going by the hike in fuel prices, astronomic costs of commodities, transportations and other unbearable conditions, a State Government is expected to implement policies and programmes  that will be of  benefits to  the people. 

Part of the statement reads:
Unfortunately, Government  today, no longer focus on what would be of benefit to the governance but dish out programmes it thinks is its best interest without considering the people's needs".

According to the group,  many businesses, schools and other businesses outfits  are struggling amid Nigeria economic crunch especially  when there are no loans  or welfare benefits  from the government".

The group noted that outside the cost of installing facilities and equipment, CCTV installation requires a constant electricity supply to function effectively without interruption.

Part of the statement reads:" In a state like hers, where people cannot rely on  electricity because there is no stable power supply, this poses a serious concern. 

"We cannot expect business owners to run government's proposed  facilities with generators, given the cost of petrol, neither we  expect them(business outfits)  to install solar energy to run their businesses  considering the cost because businesses can not  survive it.

"Interestingly, most fuel stations, business areas, and public places with CCTV installations are not fully operational, often serving only as a display and remaining turned off. 

"These aspects are accompanied by many challenges among which is vandalism. A premises  that lacks security cannot successfully install CCTV as  most of these equipment are  removed or stolen most times, even by the people employed to watch over them."

The group urged the State Government to consider replicating the strategies employed by Lagos State, FCT Abuja, and Edo State in monitoring and addressing insecurity and avoid imposing excessive fines on Deltans  just it said the Government should take  into account the economic challenges people face at the moment.

Recall, at the weekend, the Delta State Government through the Secretary  to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu announced that  there are  penalties of a 2-year jail term, ₦500,000 fine, and  premises of such organization  sealed up  for such organization's non-compliance to install  CCTV camera in their offices as part of measures to assist the Government and security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality especially the rising spate of kidnapping,armed robbery, ritual killings, internet fraud and other related crimes in the state.