Lessons from Turkiye: Harnessing road cameras for Enhanced security, a pathway for Nigeria

A letter from the Diaspora By King Wale AdeSanya 

Introduction

On our drive to visit Pamukkale in Turkiye, a tiny town in Southwest Turkey that boasts 17 water terraces considered to be some of the best in the world (a UNESCO historic site) I noticed that there were many Cameras along the 3 hours journey from Antalya; 

That got me thinking …

Among the many countries that have embraced information and communication technology (ICT) in security management, Turkiye notably stands out. The country’s investment in modern security systems, such as road cameras, has significantly improved its national security. Nigeria, a nation striving to bolster its security strategies, can learn much from Turkiye’s use of road cameras. 

The Turkiye Model 

Turkiye has advanced its security sphere through the surveillance and control of its road networks. Different types of cameras are utilized – including CCTV, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and speed cameras – each providing unique features for comprehensive road security. 

These cameras offer round-the-clock monitoring, capable of identifying suspect vehicles, monitoring speed, and supporting investigations related to any road incidents. Turkiye’s proactive approach to road camera integration has seen a decrease in crimes linked to road users and allowed for swift responses to security threats and accidents alike.

Crucially, Turkiye has well-coordinated security operations centers backed by robust ICT infrastructure. The control centers analyze real-time data from thousands of cameras across the country, enhancing surveillance and enabling swift action in response to any abnormality or threat. 

In addition, Turkiye’s use of facial and vehicle recognition technology, combined with the continuous networking of its road cameras, ensures seamless coordination between different security agencies. This highly efficient system has significantly minimized the time taken between threat detection and response, contributing to a safer environment.

Implications for Nigeria 

Nigeria, facing a myriad of security challenges, can benefit considerably from exploring Turkiye’s camera-based road security approach. Here are ways Nigeria can learn from this:

Modernize Infrastructure: The first step for Nigeria is investing in modern ICT infrastructure that can support a countrywide network of road cameras. This involves setting up secure communication networks and data centers for storing and analyzing the captured data.

Invest in Training: The adoption of Turkiye’s model requires skilled personnel who can manage the complex technology. Nigeria would need to invest in training its security forces in the application and management of modern security systems.

Inter-agency Cooperation: Just like in Turkiye, the success of using road cameras in Nigeria will rely heavily on the coordination of different security agencies. This includes setting up joint response teams and ensuring real-time sharing of information across agencies.

Stakeholder Involvement: Turkiye has demonstrated that successful implementation of such an initiative requires the support of various stakeholders. Nigeria should, therefore, engage the public, private sector, and international partners to harness enough resources and support.

Legislative Support: Lastly, Nigeria can learn from Turkiye the importance of having legislative backing for such projects. Clear laws and regulations will not only govern data protection but also establish provisions for the enforcement of penalties based on the data collected from road cameras.

Conclusion

Turkiye’s use of road cameras showcases how technology can be harnessed to enhance national security. By learning from these strategies and tailoring them to its specific context, Nigeria could make significant strides in improving its road and overall national security. As future-oriented nations have begun embracing AI and machine learning to boost their security even further, Nigeria should equally strive to stay abreast of these emerging trends.

 

King Wale AdeSanya is the National Chairman of the Nigerian and Canadian Business Network www.ncbn.ca in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He can be reached at King@ncbn.ca 

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