The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, says the courtesy visit to the Russian Embassy is to partner with EMERCOM (The Ministry of Civil Defence Russia), to seek Technical Assistance and areas of mutual cooperation, and to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two organisations.

In his remarks during the recent visit, Muhammadu stressed the need for mutual cooperation with EMERCOM as the Corps is in need of operational equipment that will enable it to attain greater heights in fulfilling the agency’s 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,” he said.

Gana pointed out that the needed technical assistance will lead to the provision of facilities that will really aid in disaster management, especially in the areas of rescue operations orchestrated by both man-made and natural disasters. Surveillance apparatus will also be provided to aid in monitoring of oil pipelines, critical infrastructure and a host of other national assets in very difficult terrains and locations in the country, he said.

Continuing, he said that the relationship will attract the setting up of medical facilities that will cater for the Internally Displaced Persons in their camps and also boost the number of NSCDC personnel that will be trained on various human capacity building in Russia.

Responding, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary Nikolay Udovichenko welcomed the NSCDC Commandant General with open arms, noting that the existing mutual relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Russia should continue.

The Russian envoy said that his country will like to work closely with the NSCDC in realising its mandate through the Ministry of Civil Defence Russia. In this regard, he extended an invitation to the corps helmsman to visit Russia to expedite the process of receiving the Technical Assistance requested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He also pledged his country’s readiness to assist in the training of the officers and men of the NSCDC in the areas of needed capacity building.

•Photo shows Gana Muhammadu.