Insecurity: Kogi, China Partner On $60m Smart Security Architecture

*Targets N591b investments in five months

To decimate terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, Kogi State Government has entered into partnership with the Peoples Republic of China for the provision of high technology security architecture.

Governor Yahaya Bello made this known at the opening of a two-day interactive workshop on “Kogi State Mission Critical Support System: A 21st century integrated smart state/security architecture” in Abuja.

The project estimated to cost between $14m and $70m, would be financed by Chinese firm, Hytera, with a repayment schedule to begin after three years of installation.

According to Bello, the project, which would be driven by 5G network and a 30Megawatt gas powered electricity plant to be built by an American company, would not only ensure safer Kogi State, but would improve economic and infrastructural developments.

The governor said the project became necessary because Kogi was a confluence state bordering 10 other states, adding that security report at his disposal indicated that there was imminent threat by criminals which must be dealt with.

Bello said: “There cannot be any meaningful development economically without safety and security. Kogi State being the confluence state, we are a serious government this is ready to harness every of our resources for the benefit of our people.

“We have done our best and we will continue to do our best, we have received several awards in terms of providing safety and security for our people and that is the call to do more and we will do more.

“Coming at this moment to partner with us cannot be over emphasised. It is a strategic time and we will continue to do that so that Kogi State can be as developed as the Peoples’ Republic of China.

“I want to assure the people of Kogi State that to the last day I will leave office, I will continue to cooperate with every of our law enforcement agencies and our citizens across board to make sure we fight these criminals.”