THERE are private security companies operating without a master licence and the Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration is working to ensure all operators register.
In response to questions sent by The Fiji Times, the ministry said the registration of security companies and issuance of Security Master Licence in Fiji commenced in 2013 although the Security Industry Decree was passed in 2010.
It said since its commencement, there were about 72 companies that were registered with the Ministry of Defence.
“This however, is not the realistic figure as there are more companies still operating without a security master licence. In respect of the number of security companies registered with the registration of companies, there is approximately 2000 security business companies registered to operate in Fiji,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, there are about 120 security business companies that operate in Fiji and they are still trying to get the correct number of security operators or security business services.
Recently the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat held a one-day workshop — A Regional Approach to Strengthen Private Security Governance — to bring together stakeholders to discuss industry issues.
According to the PIFS, private security companies are a growth industry and significant source of employment, across the Pacific Islands region.
It said worldwide, the civilian private security industry was estimated to be worth $US165 billion ($F352b) in 2009, and is likely to be worth $US244b ($F520b) by 2016, with annual growth in the region of 7 per cent and the fastest growing markets are likely to be in developing countries.
In Fiji’s case, the Ministry of Defence said the revenue collected from this industry since 2013 was just $140, 232.50.
It said the revenue was generated from the licensing of the security companies and security guards.
However, it said this figure did not reflect the value of the industry because there were other security operators that were illegally operating without a master licence.
The major concern for the ministry in relation to the private security industry was that being unregulated in any state would be the emergence of a corrupt security business industry that could be manipulated, deemed unsafe and very risky for local and foreign investors to render their service.
“It would definitely be unreliable in contracting their services since the absence of legislation would result in unethical code of conduct and illegal activities and likelihood of exploitation of resources.
“The Security Industry Decree No. 57 of 2010 was adopted to regulate the Security Industry operators in Fiji.”
The ministry said as a result the Ministry of Defence Security was actively taking on the role of the registrar of security master licences in Fiji.
“And so far it has been working towards invoking the registration of security business interested to operate a security company, proper vetting or security checks on the board of directors and managers of the security company, personnel employed by these companies are discreetly vetted.
“The ministry is also working to ensure the market is regulated to ensure that there is no dubious operator, ensure that security guards are properly trained on their roles and duties in the protection of the society and the valuable assets or infrastructure that they guard from threats or theft.”
