Insecurity: TUC urges FG to equip security forces with modern technology

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to provide modern equipment and deploy advanced technology to enable security agencies effectively tackle insurgency and other security threats in the country.

The TUC President-General, Mr Festus Osifo, made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

Osifo said the persistent insecurity across parts of the country required improved operational capacity and technological support for security forces.

According to him, strengthening security architecture remains critical to protecting lives and property as well as promoting national development.

“You cannot talk about building infrastructure or improving the economy when lives and property are not safe,” he said.

He described the continued loss of lives in communities as disturbing, stressing that insecurity must not be allowed to become a normal occurrence.

Osifo, however, commended security personnel for their sacrifices, noting that their efforts had helped prevent further escalation of violence in several areas.

He said meaningful economic growth and infrastructure development could only be achieved in a secure environment.

The labour leader also expressed concern over rising petrol prices, saying the development had increased transportation and production costs, thereby reducing workers’ purchasing power.

He attributed the situation partly to global oil market developments affecting crude supply and pricing.

Osifo warned that sustained increases in fuel prices could reverse gains made in moderating inflation.

He acknowledged government efforts to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses but said inadequate infrastructure remained a major challenge limiting nationwide adoption.

He called for accelerated investment in CNG infrastructure to make the initiative effective and accessible to Nigerians.

He explained that such an approach would reduce production costs and ultimately lead to a drop in the pump price of petroleum products.

“If implemented, this will directly impact the cost of transportation and goods, and ease the burden on Nigerians,” he said.

As a short-term measure, Osifo suggested the use of excess crude revenue to support crude supply to local refineries to reduce production costs and moderate pump prices.