Aftermath of the alleged threat by some policemen to embark on strike, the House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to interface with Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning on why the 20 percent increase approved by Mr President is yet to be implemented.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls some policemen had allegedly written a protest letter demanding for better working condition or embark on strike slated for last Saturday which coincided with the APC national convention.
Other stakeholders expected at the interface include Salaries and wages commission and the Accountant General of the Federation.
Chairman of the House committee on Police affairs, Usman Kumo called for the interface in Abuja while at a public hearing on three related bills which are: A bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to regulate the powers of the police to promote effective collaboration between the police and other security agencies and to provide for the operational framework for community policing in Nigeria.
Other bills are bill for an Act to amend the firearms Act laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 to increase the fines, provide for strict prison terms and licensing fees. Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Nigeria Police intelligence institute.
Mr. Kumo lamented the non implementation of the approved renumeration despite the increase of the police force 2022 budget with N10 billion as approved by President Mohammadu Buhari.
He stressed that the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are supposed to be taken care of adequately especially now that transition of government is under way.
According to him, the federal government need to do more in the funding of the Nigeria Police Force.
Earlier in his remarks, Kumo pleaded all concerned security and agencies present to put in their wealth of experiences to proffer solutions on the deteriorating state of security in the country.
He assured that after collating the input at the hearing, the House will be fair in dealing with the bills report.
Declaring open the hearing, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the House will do everything within its ambit to pass the law in order to address security challenges in the country.
The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Usman Baba and other key stakeholders represented at the hearing said they aligned with the National Assembly in the amendment of the firearms Act and other concerned bills being proposed.