US, Nigeria Launch Joint Country Action Plan on Security

The United States of America in collaboration with the Nigerian Government on Monday launched the Security Governance Initiative (SGI) Joint Country Action Plan (JCAP) aimed at addressing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast and Niger Delta regions of the country.

The launch, which also include the inauguration of the steering committee for the successful implementation of the SGI JCAP has members drawn from the US embassy in Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, NEMA, PCNI and the NSA.

Speaking at the launch which took place in Abuja, US  Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, expressed the US concern about the security situation in Nigeria, adding that his government takes the issue seriously and hence given it priority.

He noted that the issue of insecurity is something one nation cannot handle successfully without effective collaboration with other nations.

The ambassador  commended the efforts of Nigerian Government, and called for more efforts from all stakeholders in ensuring the implementation of the agreement under the SGI.

 Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazau (rtd.), while inaugurating the steering committee, said the essence of  the partnership was to improve Nigerian security governance and capacity ranging from policing in the northeast and Niger Delta to emergency response protocols and defence acquisition.

He disclosed that the JCAP, which was adopted and signed in May, 2017, outlines the roadmap for a successful bilateral engagement under the SGI.

``The JCAP outlines three thematic focus areas that are centred on strengthening the effectiveness of the security institutions and the criminal justice system.

``The challenges to security governance, desired end state, intermediate objectives and recommendations are all encompassed in these three focal areas,” he said.

He said that the desired end state of the three focal areas was concentrated on Nigeria having an effective and integrated Ministry of Interior that responds to national emergencies in a robust and people centric manner.

The minister tasked members to do everything possible to ensure the success of the programme, in order to bring positive development in the country.

``The success of this program therefore lies in the hands of all of us, as all of your agencies will be involved in the implementation of the program," he said.