Nigeria Needs Between $12 Billion To $15 Billion Annually To Meet Infrastructure Requirements, Says University Don

-As Osun NSCDC Organises Critical National Assets And Infrastructure Protection Summit

Professor Joseph Oyedele, says on Nigeria needs between US$12 billion to $15 billion annually for the next six years to meet the infrastructure requirements.

Prof Oyedele, from the Department of Estate Management, Obafemi University, Ile-Ife, Osun State said that the country’s infrastructure challenges were huge.

He stated these on Tuesday while speaking on a topic “Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure As a Panacea for Underdevelopment”, at the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection Summit, organized by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command.

According to the university don, the significance of critical infrastructure to economic development can not be over emphasized, hence, all hands must be on deck in protecting the critical assets and infrastructure, both public and private sectors must collaborate in addressing all these concerns, and find workable solutions to ensure the security of sites of Critical National Infrastructure.

“Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge is huge. Recent reports suggest that the country requires between US$12 billion to $15 billion annually for the next six years to meet the infrastructure requirements.

“The establishment of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was therefore one of the measures to protect critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI) and was supported by NSCDC Act 2003 and amended NSCDC Act of 2007”.

Also, Speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, Professor Olayinka Ramota Karim, said community leaders, citizens, law enforcement agencies among others have critical roles to play in the protection of public infrastructures.

Represented by Prof. Goke Lalude, Prof. Karim identified roles of infrastructure in National development, saying infrastructure development improves standard of living for citizens just as she said, it promotes cultural exchange and knowledge sharing among others prominent roles.

In his welcome address, the NSCDC Commandant in Osun state, Adaralewa Michael Akintayo, called for the collaborative effort of the people and security agents in protecting the public infrastructures

“It is important to stress that the basic difference between developed and developing countries lies in the sophistication and prioritization of critical national assets and infrastructure which are now automated linking man to machines, and sectors to sectors.

“Unfortunately however these facilities appeared not to be accorded the needed level protection by most nation leading to low economic activities detrimental to well-being of the citizens in the long run.

“Finally as I take my bow in loyalty, we must be constantly reminded that patriotism is a duty and not a choice.
For this reason, the clarion call here is for all and sundry to collectively deal with the criminality predisposing national assets to various forms of threats/vulnerabilities.”

Earlier, the DCC Vincent Gambo Linus HOD CNAI, while speaking on the nitty-gritty of the summit said it was organised to highlight strategic Protection Plan of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for critical assets/infrastructure.