Security experts have called on the government to as a matter of urgency come up with a strategic security plan to enhance national development, following the security situation in the country.

They also reasoned that the country is long overdue for a decentralised policing structure, expressing worry at what they described as the lack of foresight of lawmakers and antagonists of the call for a decentralised police structure for the country.

The experts spoke during a roundtable to commemorate the tenth year anniversary public lecture of PG Security Services Limited, a licensed private security outfit in the country, on the topic, “Strategic Security Management Panacea for National Development.”

In their various remarks, the security experts who called for more support of the private security practitioners said the government need to do more in the areas of providing the needed infrastructure and support to private operators as they provide complementary roles to the security agencies in ensuring a safe environment.

They urged the government to consider approving the license for big private security guards and also monitor their practice, as stakeholders in the security business in the country.

Leading the talk, the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Richard Amuwa said even if some people were against the creation of state policing as a result of dearth of money by the state government and fear of abuse by those in power, the idea of community policing must be embraced.

He stressed a country without good security for national development will never attract investors or visitors.

Managing Director, PG Security Services limited, Seyi Alaba said the idea of the roundtable was to call the attention of the government to the need to have a medium or long-term security plan to replace the frequent policy inconsistencies that characterise change of government in the country.

He said Private security played a complementary role organisation to the other security agencies and were very close to the grassroots and everybody were now embracing community policing.