INTRODUCTION
The achievements of the Ministry of Interior on the programmes and projects in the area of internal security for all Nigerians are from the main Ministry and the Agencies under its purview – Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, Custom, Immigration, Prison Pension Office (CIPPO) and Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration, Prisons Board (CDFIPB).
Uneasy, they say, lies the head that wears the crown. Since assuming office as the Minister of Interior in July 2011, Comrade Abba Moro, by his antecedents, has been providing visionary and transformational leadership for the Ministry of Interior. He has not only consolidated on the gains the Ministry made under his predecessor, but also expanded on its scope tremendously by showing a deep understanding of his assignment. Comrade Moro has brought dynamism and innovativeness to bear on the job as the Minister of Interior. He has also provided an accountable, effective and efficient, participatory, transparent, responsive and equitable leadership.
Abba Moro’s unusual approach to governance has yielded bountiful dividends of democracy in several spheres of life to the good people of Nigeria.
MANDATE
The mandate of the Ministry is fostering the maintenance of internal security and citizenship integrity for the promotion of good governance.
VISION
To provide complementary internal security service in accordance with international best practices.
MISSION
To render to Nigerians and foreigners alike, diverse internal security and other ancillary services that are highly qualitative, efficient, courteous and transparent.
MAIN MINISTRY (MINISTRY OF INTERIOR)
- a) POLICY INITIATIVES:
Review of expatriate quota: The policy is geared towards providing more jobs to Nigerians as against exporting expatriates to the country. The Ministry has organized a stakeholders forum to sanitize them on the new policy.
Enhance internal security: The Para-military organization under the Ministry have been participating in Join Task Force operations in different parts of the country.
e-Prison: An MoU has been signed with a Chinese Company, Huawei Technologies Company (Nig) Ltd, to collaborate and implement an e-prison programme in Nigeria. This initiative is to boost prison surveillance and security through prisons information management system.
e.-border security: An MoU have been entered into with a Chinese Company:- China Machinery Engineering Corporation for the acquisition of ICT equipment to effectively manage border security.
A National Fire Safety Code: Which has prescribed standards on handling fire outbreak, hazards and explosion has been forwarded to FEC for approval.
De-congestion of Prisons: Following the Presidential approval, the committee was set up to look into Prison decongestion and make sustainable recommendations to address the problems.
PROJECTS
Automation of citizenship, business permits and expatriate quota administration to enhance processing of citizenship and expatriate quota application within one week.
* Computerization of the Headquarters /Networking to facilitate service delivery
* Completion of 1st phase State Comptroller Flag House for Nigeria Immigration Service at Abia, Benue, Kebbi and Kogi States to provide befitting office accommodation to staff for service delivery .
* Construction of Command office complex for Nigeria Prisons Service at Abia ,Imo and Kebbi States to provide befitting office accommodation to staff for service delivery.
* Establishment of e-Law library in the Ministry headquarters in order to access more documents and materials from other libraries across the world.
* Monitoring and Evaluation of projects and programmes of the Para- military Services by the Ministry in the 36 States and FCT. The Ministry also evaluated the e-passport scheme in the following Nigeria Missions: Uk, South Africa, India, China, Spain and US to ensure utilization of funds appropriated for the projects.
* Laying the foundation of Para-Military Village Housing Scheme development Project at Kyani District, FCT Abuja by Mr. President on 21st May, 2013. It is aimed at providing adequate and decent accommodation to officers and men of the Para-Military Services under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.
NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE
Nigeria Immigration Service, in the fulfillment of its mandate as a security institution, recorded some remarkable achievements.
During the period under review, the following programmes /projects which were embarked upon were successfully completed.
* A Passport Complex Annex located in the premises of Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja was completed, furnished and commissioned in December, 2012 to provide befitting office accommodation to staff for service delivery.
* Completion of a block of 18 Nos.one-bedroom flats as staff quarters for Junior staff at the Service Headquarters, Sauka, Abuja, awaiting commissioning to provide decent accommodation to officers and men of Nigeria Immigration service to enhance their productivity.
* Completion of access road /drainage facilities from the main gate to Senior Staff quarters at Service Headquarters for easy movement of officers and men of Nigeria Immigration Service.
* Completion of Library/ ICT Centre at the Service Headquarters and occupied in order to access more documents and materials from other libraries across the world.
* A block of 8 no. Two-Bedroom flats at Service Headquarters completed and occupied. This is to provide decent accommodation to officers to enhance their productivity.
* A block of 8 no. Two-Bedroom flats at Service Headquarters is at final stage of completion.
* Completion of 10 rooms hostel at Immigration Training School, Ahoada, Rivers State to provide adequate and modern accommodation for the trainees.
* Completion of Passport Office, Alausa, Lagos to provide adequate facilities for processing of Nigeria e-passport.
* Completion and commissioning of Zonal passport office in Lagos in May, 2013 to decentralise issuance of e-passport on time.
NIGERIA PRISONS SERVICE
Prisons De-Congestion:-
* A storey building cell block at Kaduna Prison is at 90% completion stage.
* A storey block for about two hundred and twelve (212) inmates was completed at Kano Central Prison to provide adequate accommodation for the inmates.
* A storey block for one hundred and thirty six (136) inmates was completed at Aba Prison to provide adequate accommodation for the inmates.
* Completion and commissioning of Borstal Training Institute Clinic Kaduna February 2013 to provide medical service for officers.
* Prisons Barracks Hospital completed and about to be commissioned
* Commissioning of newly built modern prison in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to provide adequate accommodation for the inmates.
* Commissioned staff school at the Headquarters of the Nigeria Prison Service by the First Lady in April, 2013.
WATER, SEWAGE AND SANITATION
S/N PROJECTS NO. OF PROJECT(S) EXECUTED LOCATION REMARKS
1 Rehabilitation of boreholes 3 Awka, Bauchi, Dutse, Gboko Maintenence
2 Construction of new boreholes 5 Nsuka, Asaba, 2Nos, Ago Iwoye Farm Capital
3 Rehabilitation and Evacuation of sewage 2 NPHQ Staff Quarters Maintenence
4 Construction/conversion from bucket to water system sewage 3 Enugu Prison, PTS Enugu, Nsuka Prison Capital
STAFF WELFARE/TRAINING FOR PRISONS OFFICERS AND INMATES
* Five hundred and twenty five (525) Englon Cars were procured and distributed on loan to interested Prisons Staff across the country under Maple Cars Scheme to motivate them and enhance their service delivery.
* 101 units of 2 and 3 bedroom flats for senior and junior staff were completed and occupied at the Prisons Village, Abuja. This is to provide decent accommodation to staff to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
Courses attended between May 2011 – May 2013
S/N COURSES SCHOOL/COLLEGES NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
1 218th, 219th & 225th Basic Recruit Course PTCK Lagos, PTS Enugu and Kaduna 1263
2 20th ASPs Basic Course Prison Staff College, Kaduna 249
3 Senior Executive Course NIPSS, Kuru Jos 3
4 Senior Executive Intelligence Course Institute of Security Bwari, Abuja 2
5 National Defence College Abuja 1
6 Ex – Haske Biyu Armed Forces Joint Staff College, Jaji Kaduna 10
7 CDO/Chief Warder Refresher Course Prison Training School, Kaduna 265
8 Policy and Leadership Course NIPSS, Kuru Jos 3
9 Two (2) weeks Citizenship and Leadership Course Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos 249
10 5th Command Course for DCPs Prison Staff College, Kaduna 37
TOTAL 2082
* 109 inmates obtained Trade Test Examination Certificates in various trades.
* Open University: Twelve (12) inmates at Enugu Centre, eighteen (18) at P/Harcourt Centre, sixteen (16) at Lago
Centre and Four (4) at Awka Centre are undergoing NOUN Programme
* 69 inmates of Borstal Kaduna sat for UTME (JAMB) exams.
* 55 inmates enrolled for Nov/Dec, NECO/WAEC.
* 19 inmates wrote and passed First School Leaving Certificate Examination.
* 32 inmates enrolled for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) at Awka Prison.
* 690 inmates were resettled with tools under the Inmate Training and Resettlement Programme (ITPR).
* Conducted Trade Test Examination for 145 inmates.
* HIV/AIDS programme for inmates and staff – capacity building, HIV counselling & training, enhancement of access to treatment through collaboration with other stakeholders – NGOs, Teaching Hospitals, NACA etc.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE – KEEPING OPERATIONS
Twenty (20) Prisons officers are currently serving outside the country on United Nations Peace – Keeping Mission as follows: Sudan – 14, Liberia – 2, Congo – 1, Darfur – 3
NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS
* Completion of Block of 6 units of 2 Bedroom flat at Sauka Abuja to provide decent accommodation for the corps.
* Completion of Administrative Block at Sauka Abuja to provide office accommodation to staff service delivery
* Completion of indoor sporting complex to ensure that the officers are physically fit
* Completion of a storey building (Admin Block) at Katsina to provide adequate accommodation for the corps.
* Completion of block of 36 units of one Bedroom at Katsina to provide decent accommodation to officers to enhance their productivity
* Implementation of database development for all private security operative to provide internal security
* Anti-vandalism Drive to reduce vandalism in the country
* Disaster management to ensure that the adequate steps are taken to forestall any imminent disasters.
Training
* 6,000 officers and men on arms and light weapons handling
* 1,500 officers in crises management
* 7,500 officers in its three colleges, namely:
Civil Defence Academy, Sauka;College of Peace and Disaster Studies, Katsina and College of Security Management, Abeokuta.
* 5,000 officers and men in counter terrorism and insurgency operations.
* 2000 officers and men in Disaster Management
* General Intelligence, Counter Terrorism in Egypt.
* Response to incidences involving Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear Substances (ICDO) in Belarus.
FEDERAL FIRE SERVICE
Capacity Building and Manpower Development (Training of officers)
The Federal Fire Service, as a measure to improve the operational capability and effectiveness of firefighters in the country, carried out the following training programmes to enhance the capacity and resource development of her staff and other Agencies:
S/N NAME OF ORGANIZATION COURSE TITLE No of Participants
1 Federal Fire Service Basic Fire Fighting Course 232
2 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Basic Professional Fire Fighting 431
3 Nigeria Security Printing & Minting Company First Aid Fire Fighting Technique 35
4 AGIP First Aid Fire Fighting Technique 12
5 Power Holding Company of Nigeria Basic Professional Fire Fighting 25
6 Self-Sponsored Trainees Basic Professional Fire Fighting 15
7 Self-Sponsored Trainees Advanced Fireman Certificate of Competency 5
8 Self-Sponsored Trainees First Aid Industrial Course 7
9 Nigerian Air Force Personnel Basic Professional Fire Fighting 17
10 Federal Fire Service Advanced Fireman Certificate of Competency 93
11 Federal Fire Service Basic Professional Fire Fighting 23
12 Federal Fire Service & FCI International Safety Regulation 60
13 Federal Fire Service Disaster Management 3
14 Federal Fire Service Response to Bomb Explosion (Over-Sea) 3
15 Federal Fire Service Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Awareness (CBRN-A) 6
16 Taraba State Fire Service Advanced Fireman Certificate of Competency 10
17 Bayelsa State Fire Service Basic Professional Fire Fighting 20
18 Central Bank of Nigeria Intermediate Fire Fighting Course 27
19 FCI International & FFS Fire Regulatory /Inspectorate Course 20
20 Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) National Conference on Building Collapse in Nigeria 2
21 Ministry of Interior Establishment of a Data Management System for the Ministry of Interior 2
22 National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Integrating Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Situations into National Contingency Plan of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) 1
23 Federal Fire Service Headquarters Fire Risk Assessment 11
24 Federal Fire Service Headquarters Simulation Exercise 4
Total Number of Participants 1,064
Upgrade of Facilities at the National Fire Academy
Facilities at the National Fire Academy are continually being upgraded to meet international standards and to ensure that the highest professional training is met. The following projects have been completed at the National Fire Academy in Sheda, Abuja:
a.) One (1) Staff Housing 6×3 Bed Block of Flat. This is to provide accommodation to officers to enhance their productivity.
b.) Drill Tower to train the officers and men on fire fighting
c.) Drill Ground; train the officers and men on fire fighting
d.) One (1) Flash-Over Demonstration Prop train the officers and men on fire fighting
e.) Clinic to provide medical service for officers and men of fire service.
f.) Cafeteria for eatery.
g.) Confined Space Prop train the officers and men on fire fighting
h.) Hot Fire Training Prop train the officers and men on fire fighting
i.) Fuel Tanker Training Prop train the officers and men on fire fighting
j.) Road Traffic Accident Prop train the officers and men on fire fighting
k.) Student Hostel to provide adequate and decent accommodation.
l.) Perimeter Security Lighting for security to secure the environment
The Commissioning of the Automatic Fire Alert System
In order to curtail the annual colossal loss to fire outbreaks in the country, the Service has developed an Automatic Fire Alert System, in conjunction with a private company – (on a Public Private Partnership “PPP” arrangement) which was commissioned by the FCT Minister on October 2012, at the Federal Fire Service Headquarters. The system activates as soon as smoke is detected and sends an alert to the Fire Service and the owner of the property. This will considerably reduce response time to fire calls and invariably enhance safety of lives and property.
Improvement in the Safety of Fire fighters
In a bid to ensuring the safety of the firefighters, the Service has improved their protection through the procurement of high quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) viz:
(a) 240 pairs of Fire Resistant Jackets & Trousers (Fire Tunic)
(b) 240 pairs of Fire Resistant Boots.
(c) 240 Nos of Fire Resistant Helmet complete with hood, visor and torchlight.
(d) 110 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
(e) 25 Nos Hand-Held Mobile Radio (Walkie-Talkie)
(f) 2 Nos Thermal Imaging Equipment (Bullard).
Draft National Fire Safety Code
The Federal Fire Service, together with other stakeholders, has developed a Draft National Fire Safety Code. The purpose of this code is to prescribe the minimum standards necessary for the establishment of a reasonable level of reduction in fire outbreaks thereby ensuring life safety and property protection from hazards resulting from fire, explosion and other dangerous conditions constituting imminent perils to lives, livestock and properties. The scope of this code which is already before the Federal Executive Council includes;
(a) the design, installation, operation and maintenance of devices, equipment and systems designed to prevent, mitigate, control and extinguish fire, explosion or other life safety hazards;
(b) emergency preparedness and planning, including the orderly evacuation of occupants of buildings, structures or premises in the event of fire explosion, biological, chemical or hazardous material incident or release, natural disaster or other emergency or the threat thereof;
(c) the manufacturing, storage, handling, use sale and transportation of hazardous materials and combustible materials;
(d) the prevention, mitigation and control of hazards to fire-fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations;
(e) the operation and maintenance of any manual automatic or other fire alarm or fire extinguishing device, equipment or system;
(f) inspection of building, equipment, systems, process and other fire and life safety related matters;
(g) review of building plans and specifications for life safety and fire protection systems, access, means of egress, water supplies, processes, hazardous materials and other related matters, including existing occupancies and conditions, the design and construction of new buildings, alterations of and additions to existing buildings;
(h) investigating of fires, explosions, hazardous materials and other related emergency incidents;
(i) access requirements for fire service operations;
(j) fire awareness campaign and life safety education to the general public;
(k) building finishes, fixtures and other combustibles that aid fire spread and smoke production;
(l) storage, use, processing, handling and on-site transportation of flammable and combustible gases, liquids, solids and hazardous materials;
(m) hazards from outside fires in vegetation and combustible waste;
(n) regulation and control of special events including but not limited to public places, outdoor events, shows and other similar special make and shift or permanent occupancies; and
(o) control of fire emergency, related operations and conditions affecting fire fighter’s safety.
CIVIL DEFENCE, FIRE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
* The Board reviewed and published a harmonized Schemes of Service for the four (4) Para-military Services. This has brought them in line with the current guidelines and provisions, contained in the Schemes of Service applicable Service wide.
* It commenced the processes of computerization of its operation for comprehensive verification and biometrics enrollment of personnel of the Services for the establishment of a database for the Board.
* The Board successfully conducted the promotion exercise for officers of the Nigeria Immigration and Prisons Services, who were due for promotion in 2008 and 2009.The results have since been released leading to the promotion of over 6,000 personnel of the Services.
* Verification of the officers of Federal Fire Service conducted in 2011 to harmonize its operations and structures with those of other paramilitary service.
CHALLENGES
* The justice system has not helped the prison decongestion efforts ;
* The legislative pace has not helped with bringing up new legislation to help reposition the Ministry’s agencies (NPS and NIS) for better service delivery ;
* Inadequate funding of the Ministry’s projects, programmes and activities.
WAY FORWARD
* Improved budgetary allocation to the Ministry and its agencies.
* Exploration of further PPP arrangements towards bridging funding gaps in the sector.
* Building of border plazas to check illegal immigrants
* Full implementation of the new visa policy
* Increase capacity building for the personnel of sector
* Acquisition of more modern equipment for operations in the sector
* Alternative punishment regime for offenders
CONCLUSION
The Ministry of Interior during the period under review has made significant progress in repositioning the NPS, NIS, NSCDC and FFS for the maintenance of internal security and fostering citizenship integrity in Nigeria.
