ABUJA – Canadian Government on Friday said it is committed to supporting community policing in the[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″] Federal Capital Territory (FCT) so as to reduce crime in the nation’s capital.
Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Perry Calderwood stated this in Abuja while inaugurating[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
Women Friendly Initiative (WFI) programme, a community security support group at the Gwagwalada Area Council.
Calderwood said that the project would support the communities in the FCT to effectively participate in decision making as it concerned their security.
“This project supports the effective participation of the community in decision making around local policing.
“This community-based policing approach is improving the security of women, men and children.
“I congratulate Women Friendly Initiative and the key stakeholders in Gwagwalada Area Council on their commitment to work together to improve the security of their community,” he said.
The high commissioner said the project by WFI had brought together stakeholders from the Gwagwalada Area Council Security Committee and the local community for regular dialogue.
According to him, the dialogue will improve relationships, raise awareness of security issues, and increase capacity in crime prevention.
He said that the project built on the success of the 2012 WFI initiative in Kuje Area Council.
Calderwood said both projects had received support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), a programme of the High Commission of Canada in Abuja.
“Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) provides direct funding assistance to community groups, non-government organisations, people’s organisations, and international NGO and government institutions.
“The direct funding assistance is for small projects addressing human rights, democratic development and transition, security, rule of law, good governance, and strengthening economic governance.
“The CFLI focuses on funding projects with long-term, sustainable goals that enhance the local community,” he said.
The Canadian envoy said the programme was widely recognised as making a significant contribution to development and capacity-building in Nigeria. (NAN)