From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Director-General of Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe said the state government is targeting N100 billion in the first phase of its drive to raise funds to support the operations of security agencies through the State Security Trust Fund.
Oghenesivbe made the disclosure on Wednesday in Asaba at the Orientation Panorama Platform, a public enlightenment radio programme.
He said even though Delta is safe and secured for investments, tourism and other socio-economic activities, there is the need to enhance peace and security as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda of the state government.
Oghenesivbe commended Chief Government Ekpemukpolo (aka Tompolo) and the management of Tantita Security Services Ltd for donating N10 billion to the State Security Trust Fund, describing it as a clear demonstration of patriotism, and a well thought out Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
He said the N10 billion would go a long way to boost government’s efforts in enhancing peace and security in the state, while calling on other corporate citizens and wealthy individuals to emulate the generosity of Chief Tompolo and Tantita Security Services in the ongoing public-private-partnership towards upscaling the operations of security agencies with an initial target of N100 billion.
He noted that since the assumption of office, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has been doing the needful to keep the state safe and secured, especially by procuring and distributing operational vehicles to security agencies, as well as assisting their operations with the required logistics and other necessary support.
He added that 0.5 percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, is also allocated monthly to the security trust fund.
Oghenesivbe stated that the law establishing the State Security Trust Fund was enacted in 2013 to provide the legal framework for a public-private-partnership to enhance security in the state, adding that the law provides the foundation for a trust fund to raise and manage resources from various sources to support security agencies with equipment, lastest technology, strategic training and facilities to combat crime and improve public safety.
Governor Oborevwori, at the launching of the trust fund, noted that it would focus on acquiring modern surveillance equipment, operational vehicles and communication tools, as well as support the training and retraining of security personnel and community vigilante groups across the 25 local government areas.
He also commended the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, and his special crack team for their invaluable efforts and achievements in policing crime in the state, noting that the command made several arrests and recovered cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition from criminal elements, while also commending heads of other security agencies working round the clock on a daily basis to keep Delta safe and secured.
