ABUJA – President Goodluck Jonathan is seeking the consent of the Senate to commence deduction of one per cent from Federal Government’s allocations to implement the proposed N1.5 trillion police fund.
This is contained in a letter the president wrote to the senate which was read at Thursday’s plenary by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary.
Jonathan lamented in the letter that although the fund was approved in 2008 for the reform of the Nigeria Police Force, the implementation had been slow.
“You may wish to note that the Federal Government had since April 2008 approved the MD Yusuf report for the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
“It consequently inaugurated the interim implementation Committee for Police Reform Programme (IICPRP) and the programme was to be implemented for a period of six years at the estimated cost of N1.5 trillion.’’
According to the president, in view of the escalating security challenges, the commencement of the deductions has become imperative.
“In view of the foregoing and the current escalating security challenges, more than ever before, the strengthening of the police force, I have given the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) favourable consideration.
“I hereby seek the consent of the National Assembly for the deduction of one per cent from the statutory allocation of the Federal Government as federal contribution for the implementation of the Police Reform programme.’’
He noted that 60 per cent funding of the programme was to be sourced from the three tiers of government and the organised private and international development partners.
“The combined annual contributions from the public sector comprising federal, state and local governments is estimated to be N150 billion of which N79.02 billion is to be from the Federal Government.
“Notwithstanding this commitment, the realistic flow of funds has met with setbacks to the effect that the reform implementation has been tardy, even as security challenges keep increasing.
“In a decisive move to address the situation, the IICPRP set up a funding technical subcommittee to advise on the most effective way to fund the Nigeria Police Force Reform Programme.
“The committee, among other things, recommended special funding by the three tiers of government to be sourced from allocations for the next six years.’’
He said that the report was subsequently presented to NEC for consideration.
The NEC, he said, subsequently agreed to and recommended a deduction of one per cent from the monthly allocations of the federal, state and local governments.
This was to be sourced as a first line charge, subject to legislative endorsement at both federal and state levels for interested participating states.
The president expressed the hope that the senate would give the request expeditious consideration. (NAN)
