We need intervention fund to combat insecurity — CAS

By Emman Ovuakporie

ABUJA —Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, yesterday, said there was need for the establishment of Special Intervention Fund to help in curbing insecurity and in the provision of modern day weaponry.

He gave the charge at a public hearing on 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.

The Air Force general, who was represented at the event, 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 misappropriates the fund and breaches the Explosives Act, without an option of fine.

In his remarks, Ibrahim Idris, Inspector-General of Police, who applauded the intendment of the bill, decried the non-release of fund appropriated yearly for Nigerian 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 materialise.

In his contribution, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, 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.

On his part, Ayuba Wabba, President, 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 favourably 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 the minority leader Leo Ogor,PDP, Delta state 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.”

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