The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has called for three percent federation account funding for the proposed state police meant to stem the state of insecurity in the country.
Key highlight:
5 Key Points Summary
- Osita Okechukwu has proposed allocating 3% of the Federation Account to fund state police to ensure effective operations.
- He supports the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary response to Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
- Okechukwu warned that inadequate funding could undermine the initiative, leading to inefficiency and potential abuse of power.
- He noted that the current state police bill lacks a clear funding structure, which could jeopardize its success.
- He urged stakeholders to back a dedicated funding model, arguing that effective policing is essential for security, economic growth, and public trust in government.
Okechukwu advocated this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Sunday.
He commended the unprecedented consensus among Nigerians and bipartisan consensus on the urgent need for the establishment of state police as imperative response to contain the security mess nationwide.
The APC chieftain, however, warned that the success of state police would depend largely on the dedication of the three percent funding mechanism to sustain their operations.
“Going through the bill passed by the House of Representatives, I couldn’t locate any specific percentage to adequately fund state police.
“I, therefore, advocate that three percent of the federation account should be dedicated specifically to the funding of state police.
“Without proper financial backing, the nation risks unleashing official toll collectors and police thugs on the populace,” he said.
Okechukwu noted that poor funding remains antithetical to modern gadgets and essential ingredient in asymmetrical warfare.
He said that the devolution of police powers and other synergy paradigm were not enough to address poor funding, which rendered the federal police prostrate.
According to him, the realities on the ground have made state police an unavoidable national necessity.
The APC chieftain noted that the creation of state police without a clearly defined funding framework in the bill and synergy paradigm with other security agencies would amount to chasing shadows.
Read also:
- Adamawa police arrest two suspected armed robbers, recover weapons, stolen items
- IPC-SPJ Hub condemns detention of Olalekan Akindoju, demands apology over police arrest in Osogbo
- Reps back state police, adopt 18 constitutional amendment proposals
Okechukwu warned that leaving the financing of state police entirely to the discretion of individual state governments might undermine the objective of the reform.
“Therefore, appropriate adjustment to the federal government’s share of the federation account, should accompany the bill.
“Effective policing is the foundation of peace, economic development, growth of our democracy and citizens’ confidence in government.
“All stakeholders should support three per cent funding model that will make state police professional, accountable and sustainable,” he said.
