#Infrastructure for Enhancing Security

>>>An extract of a 23-page study, it is useful<<<

When nations face challenges, sometimes lasting solution comes from unexpected quarters. And so it is, that the author presents a research paper which may contribute towards a finding lasting solution in the fight against Boko Haram. An alternate perspective from an empirical standpoint of using Infrastructures as a tool. It is a 23-page document, only the extract is presented.

Conceptually, security infrastructure, as a rule, is a public good (a derived utility function), which helps to promote social and economic activities.

 Preamble: This work examined the importance of Infrastructure in enhancing security in a nation's development and growth. It used Lagos Apapa Gridlock as a case study based on empirical evidence - how Infrastructure affects societal security. The basis of any development is premised on security; it is the fulcrum upon which all developmental objectives are hinged. Without security and safety, no meaningful socioeconomic activity takes place. According to Cass, Schwanen, and Slove (2014), there is renewed and increasing interest in understanding the part that infrastructures play in societal transformations. They posited, that Infrastructures whether road, rail, gas, broadband, aviation, school, and healthcare – are typically conceptualised as megaprojects, and the primary objective of these megaprojects is to enhance citizens' wellbeing. Societal transformation is linearly related to infrastructures investments. The author explored social and economic infrastructures, and draw the linear relationship between the provision of these infrastructures and security in Nigeria. It further examined the degree of impact security infrastructures and/or infrastructures, in general, have on the wellbeing of citizens. Conceptually, security infrastructure, as a rule, is a public good (a derived utility function), which helps to promote social and economic activities. According to (Yescombe, 2007), public infrastructure can be defined as facilities which are necessary for the functioning of the economy and society. These are not an end in themselves, but a means of supporting a nation's economic and social activity, and include facilities which are ancillary to these functions. Broadly speaking, public infrastructure can be divided into economic- and social infrastructure. Furthermore, this study examined infrastructures' investment and its impacts on the promotion of safety, security, and growth in Nigeria. The findings are presented, it recommended the completion of infrastructure projects to improve economic activities and thus enhance security. The key concepts examined in this study are infrastructure, PPP, security, development, growth and wellbeing

1.0             BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The promotion of safety and security remain one of the cardinal objectives of any government. Over the past 10 years from 2008 – 2018; the budgetary allocations to security at Federal Government level is estimated to be N6trn (Ndujihe, 2018). The estimated expenditure is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1 Defense Expenditure

The above estimates exclude State and Local governments’ security spending. As a percentage of Federal Government total budgets, it is about 11%. This indicates the importance attached to security. However, there are no pieces of evidence to draw a linear relationship between expenditure and outcomes. According to Andrew (1996), crime is a worldwide problem. The Fourth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends, published in 1995, sampled data from 100 countries spread over every continent. He posited that crime rate rose by about 25% between 1985 and 1990. Over the past 29 years since the report was published, crime has accentuated to an unprecedented proportion. According to Labour Party figures, Londoners have a 26% chance of suffering car crime, 10% chance of violence, (Andrew, 1996). This information is useful in evaluating the impacts of crime on society.

The case in Nigeria is different from the examples quoted above. In addition to weak structural security architecture, the incidence of lack of gainful economic activities has increased crime rate. According to (Agbidge, 2016), the impact of the lack of investment in transportation infrastructure in the form of road networks has hindered economic development in Nigeria. And this has resulted in an increase in the crime rate in the country. Through the use of statistical data and comparative analysis; the author explores how investments in infrastructure enhance security. It uses the Apapa Gridlock as a case study, highlighting infrastructures impacts on security provision.

Based on the study, it is possible to statistically estimate how investments in other sectors of the economy enhance security and safety. The researcher’s findings are useful to policy formulators, as well as enhancing security architecture.

2.1            The Concept of Security Infrastructure: Security entails the protection of lives and properties. There are many types of security frameworks to achieve the primary function of securing a nation under any circumstance. Tools, equipment, knowledge, skill, and experience (collectively known as infrastructure) are required to carry out the functions of securing a nation and her people. There are hard and soft aspects of security infrastructures. According to Britannica (2019), security and protection system, any of the various means or devices designed to guard persons and property against a broad range of hazards, including crime, fire, accidents, espionage, sabotage, subversion, and attack. Any form of infrastructure acquired and installed to achieve the objectives of security is termed as security infrastructures. For example, all Security Agencies' buildings, cars, systems, devices, skills, and knowledge is collectively termed ‘security infrastructure.'

To attain optimal safety and security, infrastructures investment in this sector is required (hardware and software). The safety of a nation against threats such as terrorism, war, or espionage is considered as national security.

2.2             The Role of Infrastructures in Society: The importance of Infrastructures cannot be overemphasized. Infrastructures play a critical role in nation-building. According to Adeniyi (2018), it is easy to see that Chinese authorities are investing a lot of money in Nigeria economy. A major key to lifting people out of poverty is through rapid infrastructures investments and human capital development. This will ultimately reduce the rate of crime, enhance security and citizens' wellbeing. In recent years, to meet the yearning gap in infrastructures across Africa, many African countries have resulted in borrowing from China. There is empirical evidence to support that infrastructures play vital roles in the lives of individuals and nations. Infrastructures whether in transport, education, health, commerce, oil, gas, power, housing or communications; are essential for sustaining lives and enhancing security. Some of the objectives of SDGs are the provision of wholesome security. For instance, according to (Uba, 2018), in the recent report of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI, 2018), it posited that infrastructure play critical role in promoting economic growth, improving the standard of living, poverty reduction and competitiveness. It noted that the World Economic Forum (WEF) had in its 2017-18 competitive index ranked Nigeria's infrastructure low (131 out of 138). This level of competitiveness makes it difficult to export goods and services, and increase the workforce. To achieve Worldclass competitiveness, additional infrastructures investments are required. Which increases trade and commerce, as well as reduce criminal activities.

Infrastructure improves healthcare delivery and the elongation of lives. According to (Zhao, 2017), infrastructure is intrinsic to development. It is the foundation upon which social and economic development is built; the critical support network for enabling innovation, developing new markets and delivering services key to improved quality of life.

According to Calderon and Serven (2008), an adequate supply of infrastructure services has long been viewed by both academics and policymakers as key ingredients for economic development. Sub-Saharan Africa ranks consistently at the bottom of all developing regions in terms of infrastructure performance, and an increasing number of observers point to deficient infrastructure as a major obstacle for growth, poverty reduction across the region. This has increased security risks across the region. As a result of the lack of economic activities, youths find crimes alluring, and this has increased the cost of policing. In the study covering 100 countries and spanning the years of 1960 – 2005 (about 45 years), the report indicated that inequality grew during the period and quality of life reduced respectively, they posited. Empirical evidence suggests that adequate infrastructures improve quality of life and reduce criminal tendencies.

3.3      National Investments in Security Infrastructure: Nations invest in security infrastructure, because of its collateral functions. Investment in security infrastructures is seen as a derived function. However, the absence of security is the promotion of anarchy and chaos. For instance in places of war or incessant uprising and riots; it is difficult, if not impossible to carry on meaningful developmental activities. It is economical to prevent situations of anarchy, rather than control or mitigate them. As the cost of control far outweighs the cost of security investments in infrastructures. Statistical evidence suggests that nations which invest in infrastructures spend less on security. For example, the Safe System Approach (Figure 1) provides a viable framework to examine road traffic injury risk factors and interventions from a holistic perspective. The Safe System Approach is based on Sweden's Vision Zero strategy, which has a long-term vision of achieving no fatal or serious injuries within the transport system Kristianssen et al. (?2018).

To be continued...