By Chinyere Ogbuagu/Ukpa Ewa
The Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU), has emphasized the critical role of security in ensuring the successful implementation of its activities across communities in Anambra State.
Speaking during the security risk management assessment visit to the State on June 15, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye, described security as an indispensable component of every development initiative.
Mr. Okoye noted that since the programme’s activities would be carried out across various communities in the selected LGAs of the State, it was necessary to establish robust security policies and standard operating procedures to effectively prevent and manage potential risks and unforeseen challenges.
The commissioner stressed that security is very important. “Everything that this project is planned to do is sitting on a workable secure environment because we are going to the hinterland where if we do not carefully create or craft what the security policy and standard operating procedure is, you leave that to chance and once you leave that to chance, you cannot then manage any eventuality”.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the Security Specialist for the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project from the National Project Coordinating Unit, Abuja, Mr. Afolabi Jide, said that the exercise was designed to identify potential threats that could hinder project implementation, compromise staff safety, damage project assets, or negatively affect the reputation of both the project and Anambra State Government. He reiterated, “We have established a security culture on the previous project and for any state joining currently, it is compulsory that we should do the same, so that they would know that we have security culture on the project.
“The essence of this security culture is to make sure that all of you that work for Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up Project are safe, our image is safe, our program is safe, that we won’t be stocked anywhere”.
According to him, NFWP-SU places a high priority on the safety and well-being of its personnel and remains committed to ensuring that all staff operate within a secure and enabling environment.
Mr. Jide observed that contrary to reports suggesting restrictions on movement on Mondays, economic and social activities were ongoing in Awka during the assessment visit. He noted that residents freely went about their daily businesses, transportation services operated normally, and there were no visible signs of disruption within the state capital.
He further advised project staff to maintain close collaboration with security agencies and relevant stakeholders in the communities where the project would be implemented.
Earlier, the Anambra State Project Coordinator of NFWP-SU, Hope Nkiruka Okoye, welcomed the assessment team and described the exercise as a vital aspect of project implementation
She disclosed that similar assessments had been conducted in other participating states and expressed appreciation that Anambra was among the States selected for the exercise. She encouraged project staff to maximise the opportunity to deepen their understanding of security risk management.
Also present at the meeting was the Director and Head of Technical, JB Singhai Security Limited, Mr. Tim Aniebonam.
The visit featured a presentation on the importance of security risk management in project implementation, aimed at strengthening the capacity of NFWP-SU State staff to effectively manage security-related concerns throughout the project lifecycle.
The assessment team also paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Multi-sectorial Coordination Structure (MCS) for the project. She assured the team of the state government’s unwavering support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the NFWP-SU across the state.
Chinyere Ogbuagu and UKpa Ewa are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
