DSS rejects clause allowing foreign donations to proposed security trust fund

The Department of State Services (DSS) has rejected a provision in the security trust fund bill that would allow foreign donations to the fund.

Emmanuel Daubry, a representative of the DSS, raised the objection on Thursday at a public hearing organised by the house of representatives on national security and intelligence on a bill seeking to establish a trust fund for the DSS.

Daubry said allowing foreign entities to contribute to the fund could expose sensitive intelligence operations to external influence and compromise national security.

He also expressed concerns over a clause empowering the national assembly to determine annual contributions to the fund, saying it could create uncertainty in financing.

Daubry noted that the bill does not clearly define the contributions expected from the federal and state governments.

Daubry commended the parliament for the proposed trust fund, saying it would provide stable and flexible financing for intelligence gathering, counterterrorism efforts, and broader national security operations.

He said the fund would facilitate the acquisition of modern operational equipment, enhance personnel training, improve response time to emerging security threats, minimise delays associated with conventional budgetary procedures, and safeguard the confidentiality required for sensitive operations.

The committee also considered two other bills aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s intelligence architecture through professional training and coordination, and the development of indigenous capacity and technology.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, who was represented by Julius Ihonvbere, the majority leader, said Nigeria must enhance its ability to gather, analyse and deploy intelligence in a timely and coordinated manner.

“A critical component of this is the issue of sustainable funding,” he said.

Ahmed Satomi, chairman of the committee on national security and intelligence, said the bills would better position the country’s intelligence agencies to protect Nigerians and safeguard national interests.

Satomi added that national security requires the vigilance and partnership of all citizens and should not be left solely to the government.(TheCable)