The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Alkali Baba on Wednesday pleaded with lawmakers to remove the police Force from the envelope budgetary system to enable it properly project its funding requirements for budgetary appropriation, operational planning and optimal service delivery.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports IGP Usman Alkali Baba made the plea when he appeared before the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on Police Affairs for the 2022 budget appropriation defence.
Alkali 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 budget were not being released as at when due
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 Alkali, newly 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 asked 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
He however acknowledged the tremendous supports being received from the National Assembly since his assumption of office as the 21st indigenous 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.
” I thank the Distinguished and Honourable Chairmen and members of the Senate and House Committees on Police Affairs 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 synergise 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 response, the Co-chairman of the Committee, Senator Haliru Dauda Jika assured that the 9th National Assembly would support the Nigeria Police Force its constitutional mandate through adequate budgetary allocation optimal Performance.