NSA urges security agencies to maximise technology for intelligence sharing

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, has urged security agencies in the country to maximise technology for intelligence sharing to enhance national security.

Monguno made the call at a one-day workshop organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for personnel of security and intelligence agencies in Abuja on Thursday.

It was reported that the workshop was held to update the agencies on the upgraded web-based verification portal for drivers’ licence and number plates developed by the FRSC.

Developed in 2015, the portal enables security agencies to confirm the genuineness of the National Drivers’ Licence and vehicle number plates held by members of the public.

The NSA, who was represented by Mr Abba Ibrahim, the Director of External Services in his office, said information sharing among security agencies was critical to national security.

He lauded the FRSC for the innovation, which he noted would “further justify the relevance of the Corps in the nation’s security circles’’.

“This feat by the FRSC using information technology is commendable and should be supported by all Nigerians.

“Another appreciable component of the package is its integration with other security organisations through easy accessibility which will go a long way in facilitating inter-agency communication and intelligence sharing.

“I encourage other security agencies to key into the opportunity created through this platform to enhance their operations,’’ Monguno said.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the workshop was the second in the series (the first being in 2015) aimed at sharing the agency’s data and information with other agencies.

He said the forum was deliberately designed to also enhance synergy among the security agencies on the implementation of the Uniform Licensing Scheme.

Oyeyemi explained that the advanced portal contained information such as demographics, biometrics and details of offences committed by drivers’licence holders as well as uses of the number plates.

According to him, the platform applies to the Speed Limiting Device portal, the Driving School Standardisation Portal (DSSP) and the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Portal (STSSP).

“Competence has not only been incorporated into the process for acquiring the new driver’s licences, but driving schools across the country are being linked to FRSC portal to enable us monitor the number of students they admit, the curriculum and competence of the students they present for licences.

“In addition, more security features have been built into the system to make it impossible for the licences to be forged or obtained by proxy without undergoing biometric data and physical capturing.

“Handheld devices are being used by patrolmen to provide immediate information on the status of the licences, thereby closing the gaps which fraudsters or forgers would have exploited to sustain their fraudulent activities.’’

Oyeyemi said that following the FRSC’s insistence on due process the country’s driver’s licence now enjoyed international recognition and acceptance in parts of the United States and some European countries.

Dr Habibat Lawan, the Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation, congratulated the FRSC on its giant strides in the application of technology in its various operations.

Represented by Mr Sonnie Aruya, the Director of General Services in the SGF office, Lawan also urged other security agencies to embrace the initiative in the interest of national security.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, enjoined other agencies to learn from the great strides that the FRSC had made in service delivery.

Abah noted that the advances made by the Corps in terms of performance management, use of ICT in service delivery and responsiveness made it one of the best agencies in the country.

Participants at the workshop were drawn from the military, intelligence agencies, civil defence corps, customs, anti-graft agencies, police, among others.