Alhaji Abdullahi Gana, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has urged the Russian Embassy to grant technical assistance to the corps.
A statement by the spokesman of the corps, Emmanuel Okeh, reported that Muhammadu made the call during a courtesy visit to the Russian envoy, Mr Nikolay Udovichenko, in Abuja.
He called for mutual cooperation between the organisations, to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Russia.
Gana stressed that a mutual cooperation with Russia was necessary as the corps needed operational equipment that would enable the NSCDC to attain greater heights in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
“We are delighted to seek bilateral relations with EMERCOM as the facilities needed will boost our efforts in the discharge of our duties and will greatly enhance our personnel human capacity.”
EMERCON is the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence.
Gana said the needed assistance would lead to the provision of facilities that would assist in disaster management, especially in the areas of rescue operations.
Surveillance apparatus should also be provided to aid in monitoring of oil pipelines, critical infrastructure and other national assets in difficult terrains in the country, he said.
Responding, Udovichenko said the existing mutual relationship between Nigeria and Russia should continue.
The envoy said his country would work closely with the NSCDC to realise its mandate through its Ministry of Civil Defence.
He invited the corps boss to visit Russia to expedite the process of receiving technical assistance requested by the NSCDC.
He also pledged his country’s readiness to assist in the training of the officers and men of the NSCDC in the areas of capacity building. (NAN)