IGP hails police Trust Fund Bill

…Says it will engender efficiency in policing the Country

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has hailed the leadership and members of the National Assembly for passing the Police Trust Fund Bill on Tuesday.

The Police Trust Fund Bill, when signed into law by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari will be pivotal to providing a legal framework for the management and control of the Special Intervention Fund for the training of personnel of the Force, procurement of operational equipment, infrastructures and maintenance of Police Stations across the Country.

The IGP notes that with the passage of the Bill, and hopefully, the eventual signing into law by the President, the Federal Government will be laying a solid foundation for the future of an effective and efficient structure for policing the Country.

He further observes that the passing of the Bill couldn’t have come at a better time than now when concerted efforts are being made at all levels to overcome issues of armed banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes across the Country.

Adamu, therefore, thanks all stakeholders that helped in mobilizing supports for the passage of the Bill, especially, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Human Rights Groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the Media, the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria amongst others.

While passing the bill on Tuesday, the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki said “we will be creating big strides towards providing and improving security and policing in our country .

“ One of the major concerns has always been the issue of funding. We believe that this bill will provide the funding needed for training and recruitment .

“ I am confident that by the time we lay the report on the Police Reform Bill , we would have gone a long way in moving the police in the right direction

“ It is our view that once we have these police bills as laws , we will relieve the burden on the military, so that it can focus on its constitutional responsibility , ” Saraki said .

The Police Trust Fund Bill , has also been passed by the House of Representatives .

It aimed to providing a legal framework for the management and control of the special intervention funds established under the Act for the training of personnel of the NPF.

The trust fund would also be utilised to enhance the skills of the personnel of the Police in order to ensure their efficiency, overall performance , and constant improvement while they performed their duties .

In addition , the trust fund would be used to ensure that the NPF had the necessary operational equipment , instructional materials , police stations and living quarters.
It is hope the bill will be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent immediately before the 8th National Assembly winds up early June.

It is hope the bill will be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent immediately before the 8th National Assembly winds up early June.