SSDC, Security Chiefs Deepen Collaboration To Tackle Security Challenges In Edo

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

The South South Development Commission (SSDC) has called for stronger collaboration with security agencies in Edo State, emphasizing that sustainable development can only thrive in an environment of peace and security.

The Edo State representative on the Governing Board of the Commission, Barrister Femi Oise Agge, disclosed this following a stakeholders’ meeting with the heads of security agencies in the state.

According to Agge, the meeting formed part of the Commission’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders across the South-South region aimed at presenting its vision, strengthening strategic partnerships and identifying areas of mutual collaboration.

He noted that representatives of seven major security agencies attended the meeting and expressed their readiness to work closely with the Commission in advancing its development objectives.

“Whatever we are doing, if we don’t have security, then certainly we are going nowhere. It will be a good exercise that amounts to nothing,” Agge said.

According to him, the security agencies are critical stakeholders in the development process because their activities have a direct bearing on the safety and stability required for development projects to succeed.

Agge disclosed that the meeting also provided an opportunity for the Commission and the security agencies to identify areas where they could work together to promote development across the South-South region.

He said the security chiefs further recommended regular meetings to enable both sides to review security situations and strengthen collaboration.

“They have promised full cooperation and also suggested that we should meet regularly so that we can always review situations,” he said.

The engagement with security agencies is coming on the heels of similar consultations with other critical stakeholders in Edo State.

Agge said the Commission had already engaged traditional rulers in Edo Central, as well as youths and women, as part of efforts to ensure broad-based participation in the development agenda of the South-South region.

He maintained that continuous dialogue with stakeholders would enable the SSDC to better understand the challenges confronting the region and build strategic partnerships towards addressing them.

On the part of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, he described the meeting with the SSDC’s State Coordinator as very significant, emphasizing the importance of stronger collaboration among security agencies.

He said the engagement would focus on identifying security challenges requiring attention and developing joint interventions to improve security services and the safety of residents in Edo State.