By Christiana Ekpa
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba yesterday asked the Natiional Assembly to remove the Nigeria Police from the envelope budgetary regime to enable the Force properly project its funding requirements for budgetary appropriation, operational planning and optimal service delivery.
The IGP further pleaded for the approval of adequate funds for the newly established Special Operations Account of the Force to enable the Nigeria Police effectively and promptly respond to unanticipated national security emergencies and to support on-going special operations across the country
He equally urged the Lawmakers to deploy their legislative instrumentality to make a strong case for the prompt and full release of funds appropriated to the Nigeria Police in the 2022 budget based on previous experience as funds duly approved in the passed were not being released as at when due
Alkali Baba disclosed these in Abuja when he appeared before the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Police Afffairs for the 2022 budget appropriation defence
He made a strong case for adequate budget provision of funds under the 2022 Budget for the Zonal Police Headquarters that were recently approved by Mr. President but which were yet to fully commence operations due to budgetary challenges.
According to him new approved Zones include “ Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo-Dunukofia, Awka-Anambra State; Zone 14 Headquarters, Katsina; Zone 15 Headquarters, Maidugun; one 16 Headquarters, Yenegoa and Zone 17 Headquarters, Akure respectively”
He also sought for the approval and allocation funds for the operations of the Nigeria Police Special Operational and Tactical Units including the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Forces (SF), and Special Tactical Squads (STS) with a view to enhancing their critical internal security operations.
The IGP’ in addition urged the Lawmakers to use their legislative instrument to approve a self-accounting status for Nigeria Police Training Institutions and Colleges in order to effectively position them for their human capacity development functions in furtherance to the long-term reform agenda of the Federal Government
While acknowledging the tremendous supports being received from the Nation’al Assembly since his assumption of office as the 21st indegeous Inspector General of Police which he said had a long way in boosting series of successes recorded in curbing cases of insecurity in the country, the IGP assured that the Nigeria Police Force under his watch would provide needed maximum security for all and sundry.
According to him, “ I thank the Distinguished and Honourable Chairmen and members of the Senate and House Committees on Police Afffairs for the opportunity of this unique interactive session and look forward for facilitation of the process of strengthening the budgetary allocation and implementation framework of the Nigeria Police Force
“ I also renew the assurances of my firm determination to continue to synergnise with the two Committees towards the repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force to attain our commonly held vision of a stable internal security order in the year 2022 and beyond”
In his remarks, the Cochairman of the Committee, Senator Haliru Dauda Jika assured that the 9th Natiional Assembly would support the Nigeria Police Force its constitional mandate through adequate budgetary allocation optimal Performance.
