By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force, saying this is necessary for effective policing by the force.
The president stated this when he received the 2021 audited report and 2023 budget proposal of the Police Service Commission (PSC), in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, the Federal Government has made the welfare of police officers and men a priority and police reforms a sacred duty.
“I particularly note that accommodation for police officers and men is very critical and this administration has made the welfare of police officers and men, and indeed, the armed forces a top priority,” he said.
While underscoring the importance of quality welfare in effective service delivery, the president declared:
“I know that when officers and men are posted on duty or assignments and they know that their families live in barracks with facilities, schools, clinics and a conducive living environment, their morale is boosted and they would discharge their duties with courage and efficiency.
“I am pretty aware of the problems and challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces.
“The problem is relative to time and resources and this administration has done a lot with the limitations,” he added.
While assuring the acting Chairman that their requests would be considered, Buhari said that dwindling resources arising from fall in crude oil price and local production posed a major challenge which the present administration had to contend with.
Presenting the 2021 audited report and the 2023 budget proposal to the president, acting Chairman of the Commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, expressed delight at performing the statutory function of presenting the report.
According to her, this is in accordance with Section 17 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001.
She stated that upon inauguration, the present management made it a point of duty to keep the president abreast of happenings in the commission.
Ogunbiyi said: “Upon the inauguration of the present management on the July 28, 2018, we made it a duty to keep you abreast with the progress, problems and challenges of the commission through this procedure.”
Ogunbiyi commended the administration of Buhari for always upholding the rule of law, noting, “as members of the Management Team of the Commission, we have no other alternative than to guard this mandate jealously as expressed by the framers of the constitution.”
According to him, the commission has been consistent in ensuring that disciplinary sanctions are meted out to erring Police Officers as well as making sure officers are promoted as at when due, taking into consideration available vacancies and seniority.
She said the commission also ensure that ”proper and fit persons are recruited into the Nigerian Police Force.”
While lamenting that inadequate funding had continued to hamper its activities, Ogunbiyi requested that the commission’s budget be placed among the first line charge in budget allocation, as that would allow it to be more effective.
She also expressed appreciation to the president for the prompt release of funds towards the completion of its headquarters and requested for a convenient to perform the commissioning.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammadu Dingyadi led members of the commission to the presentation. (NAN)
