The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, (PRAWA) recently carried out a baseline study of private security regulation within the ECOWAS region and held a validation review, to arrive at a workable document that would assist in mitigating insecurity within the region.
This, according to the group at a workshop, is in a bid to curb the menace of insecurity in the region.
The workshop themed "validation of baseline study of private security regulation in the ECOWAS region" was organised by PRAWA in collaboration with German Cooperation, Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF),African Security Sector Network and the ECOWAS.
The Executive Director, PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh while giving a brief on the project and methodology used in the baseline study, disclosed that,judging from situations surrounding practice, there is need to adequately create regulations that will be a guide in the duties of the private security sector, adding,this will enable an effective and efficient duty as regulations are meant to guide work activities.
Agomoh reiterated that it was essential to carry out this research as in the region,private security sector have almost similar challenges as such the baseline study worked with what was already established to provide a better schedule.
"We tried to find some kind of concurrence in terms of how they are, complying with the provisions as contained in the policy framework. We also looked at to what extent they’re also complying with the content of intellectual principles, and documents that are the monitoring document, the code of conduct for private security providers.
"There is something that is different between when you read a document, and when a questionnaire is brought before you to fill. We knew that struggle was very much restricted. But we still wanted to do something. So we tried to engage country data collectors, by ensuring that we have all data from countries that are members of ECOWAS. The countries reflected in the document are the countries that we are able to send letters and get feedback. Some countries responded while some never did to date.
Speaking on some regions that was not included in the research,she said, I also want to use this opportunity to plead with, the ambassadors or representatives of embassies of other countries within the Coast region, that do not find their names reflected in this document, we are still waiting within the next one to two weeks. If you can help us to get this needed information to make it an all inclusive document, we would be very glad.
Earlier, PRAWA’s Deputy Director, Ogechi Ogu, in her welcome address explained that the organization’s propelling factor was the increasing concerns over the rising wave of crime, armed conflict, and the evident inability of state security actors to provide adequate protection of lives and property which has obviously resulted in the proliferation of private security companies in the ECOWAS region
According to her, as part of steps targeted at x-raying the issues to holistically tackle the problem, aroused the necessity to strengthen private security governance through the enhancement of knowledge on the challenges and opportunities facing the private companies and promotion of effective oversight and accountability mechanism through the implementation of regional policy frameworks”.
Speaking at the event, Major General UA Yusuf, the Director Policy, Defence Headquarters pointed out that his concern is mostly on the inability of the private security personnel to handle firearms as a defenceless security personnel is just as important as not being there.
"They are trained and they have the knowledge and yet they are not allowed to handle firearms, how can they effectively practice? To me, it starts with policy change. There should be a change in policy else whosoever is employing a security guard is only employing him to open and close his or her gate.
"In the face of arms and ammunition, the security person will run for his life, thus, the aim to which he or she is employed and been paid for is overwhelmingly defeated”, he said.
Participants at the workshop acknowledged the relevance of the research work while appraising the degree of work put together in the study.
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