Service Chiefs demand special intervention fund

The Service Chiefs on Tuesday called for establishment of Special Intervention Fund that will help in provision of security infrastructure and welfare of security operatives in the Armed Forces of the Federation.

Sadiq Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff gave the charge at the public hearing on the bills which seek to establish Police Reform Trust Fund and amendment of Explosive Acts, 2004 and re-enact the Explosives Act, 2016 to make comprehensive provisions for the use and control of explosives in Nigeria.

Abubakar who was represented at the event, who expressed support for the establishment of Police Reform Trust Fund and the bill which entrusts the management of explosives to the Police, proposed for 10 years imprisonment for anyone who misappropriate the fund and breach the Explosives Act, without an option of fine.

While speaking, Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police who applauded the intendment of the bill, decried the non-release of fund appropriated yearly for Nigeria police by the Executive arm of government.

He observed that previous efforts to reform and reposition Nigeria Police since 2008 and Parry Osayande committee and the M. D Yusuf Reform Committee in 2008 which recommended N2.8 trillion (for five years) to lift the Nigeria Police did not materialized.

“This sum translates to N560 billion annually. Compare this to the N16.1 billion allocated to police in 2016 for capital development which only N10 billion was released.

According to him, the reform is to be utilized for communication and information technology infrastructure, patrol/operational vehicles, crafts and other facilities; provision of full complement of arms/ammunition, riot control equipment, protective gears, armoury and firing/shooting range; forensic technology/scientific aids for investigation, among others.

He lamented that out of the total sum of N1,164,405,193,431 proposed for capital expenditure by the Police between 2012 and 2016, N64,999,567,375 was appropriated out of which N40,474,332,673 was cash-backed, leaving a balance of N24,552,234,702 yet to be released till date.

According to him, from the estimated sum of N19.9 billion required for fueling of 14,306 vehicles including 3,115 motorcycles nationwide, only N809 million was released; out of N7.04 billion required for maintenance of vehicles only N486 million was released while out of N14.5 billion required for uniforms and accountrement (kits), only N1 billion was released.

He added that the Police requires N700 billion for rehabilitation of existing barracks/quarters; N200 billion for local travels and transport; N1.133 trillion yearly for procurement of arms and ammunitions, purchase of new vehicles, gun boats, helicooters and other technological needs as well as N200 billion for installation of CCTV cameras, database and video cameras in all police stations across the country as required by Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to build a functional crime laboratories and other investigative aids.

On his part, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of Kano who was represented urged that people of impeccable character should manage the Fund to prevent monumental fraud which will be counterproductive.

He also stressed the need for proper coordination of vigilante security across the country.

Speaking earlier, Haliru Jika, chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs who noted that the Nigeria Police is overstressed in all ramifications due to the fact that it has only 300,000 officers and men manning 180 million people.

This ratio, according to him, is far below the United Nations recommendation of 1-400 police-population ratios.

In the bid address the challenges, Jika emphasised the need for adequate funding of the police in order to boost their morale and improve operational efficiency.

“Until the Police Reform Trust Fund bill is passed, every attempt towards curbing corruption within the Force would be wild goose chase without human face. The passage of the bill into law will among others improve in the overhead costs in all police stations, prevent the police from being partisans during elections when officers and men are at the mercy of the States and Local Governments for resources for mobilisation, prevent few officers and men who are available from being overwoked and overstressed, put an end to rickety and non-functional patrol vehicles, and provide fuel for those that can move.

“Above all, provide the opportunity of training and restraining of personnel; provide equipment and machineries,” he stated.

On the repeal and re-enactment of Explosives Act, Jika noted that the review of the Act is to curb illegal usage if explosives regulation of importation, manufacture, storage and distribution considering the recent security challenges bedeviling the country. It is also to address illegal diversion of explosives by by some companies minded people.”

On his part, Ayuba Wabba, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who acknowledged that the ability of Nigeria Police to effectively discharge its functions is weakened by the lack of adequate resources proviosining over the years, expressed support for any policy or law aimed at obviating various challenge s facing the agency.

“It is in this regard that the Congress is faboirabky disposed towards this bill aimed at establishing a Special Fund to supplement the regular provisions through the national budget.

“Given the serious challenges being faced by citizens as a result of the escalating incidences of crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, rape, herdsmen and cult menace in several parts of the country, there is urgent need for special intervention funds to better prepare the police personnel to confront these challenges.

“While we recognize that, in the long run, the national budget has to be the framework for funding the police, some special time-bound intervention is required. The initial time framework of six years proposed in the bill will serve to build up capacity and upskill the personnel to cope with the current challenges,” Wabba said.

On his part, Mohammed Yesufu, Deputy Inspector General of Police who canvassed that the chairman of the Police Reform Fund Board or Chief Executive Officer of the fund should be a retired senior police officer with good track record to be appointed by Mr. Present, argued that the failed police equipment fund was due to the fact that it was “solely left in the hands of outsiders to manage.”

He also canvassed that the fund should be institutionalised like other funds like Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund (PTDF); Education Trust Fund (ETF); Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND); and Industrial Training Fund (ITF), which are special intervention agencies established to assist caertai areas of development.

While declaring the public hearing on the bills open, Speaker Yakubu Dogara who was represented by Leo Ogor, Minority Leader noted that the public hearing was in tandem with the provision of the Nigerian Constitution

He explained that the proposed amendment of the Explosive Act became necessary as a result of the current insecurity challenges facing the country.

Dogara who noted that the bill on establishment of the Police Trust Fund was long desired by Nigerians will operate for six years and provide for training and improve welfare of Nigerian police and officers.

He expressed optimsim that adequate finding remains a critical factor for the success of any security agency in tackling the menace of kidnapping, terrorism and other social vices in the society.

The Speaker also maintained that the establishment of the Fund will help in correcting the battered image of the Nigeria Police which “Nigerians have over the years criticized by Nigerians and perceived to be an enemy institution.”

 
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja