The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kpotun Idris has declared that the security outfit needed nothing less than N1.13trillion for its overhead cost annually.
He said this was against N31.6billion earmarked in the 2017 budget, out of which a meagre amount of N8billion has so far been released.
The N1.13trillion, according to IGP Idris was the current value of N506billion recommended for that effect in 2008 by the late MD Yusuf led Police Reform Committee.
The Police boss made the submission before the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Wednesday, during a one-day public hearing on a Bill for an Act to establish Police Development Fund.
He lamented that the Police based on yearly budgetary provisions made for it, was grossly underfunded with attendant incapacitation in carrying out its fundamental duties of ensuring security, law and order across the federation.
Breaking down required overhead costs of the security outfit, the IG disclosed that out of the N19.9bn required to fuel 14,306 vehicles and 3,115 motorcycles on yearly basis, only a billion naira can be set aside for that out of the meagre amount given.
This according to him, also affected the kitting of about 300,000 personnel the security outfit has , which ordinarily supposed to be N14.58bn but in 2017 budget , only N1.7bn was earmarked for that and even not. fully released with attendant improper kitting of men and officers of the Force.
He, therefore, wholeheartedly supported the passing of the bill into law, saying “Police Trust Fund Bill will definitely serve as the needed solution to the problem of underfunding incapacitating the force “.
“There is close nexus between security and development and It is our belief that once the Police is adequately funded , the problem of insecurity in the country would be effectively tackled and once there is security , required development in the country would be achieved”, he added.
A critical Stakeholder at the public hearing, Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) submitted that, since the bill seeks to raise the fund from 1% of consolidated revenue fund of the federal government pending amendment to the 1999 constitution, it would not in any way violate any existing law.
Other participants who made submission in support of the Bill include, Civil Society Organisations, Students Union bodies, Market men and women, former police officers, Young Professionals, former Nigeria’s Internationare, Kanu Nwankwo, among others.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim, however, said, for the purposes of accountability, the Trust Fund, upon setting up, would not be centralized at the centre but directly wired to state and local Police formation.
The Bill which seeks better Welfare package for the officers of the Force, was sponsored by Sen. Abu Ibrahim (Katsina State) and also passed at the House of Representatives recently.
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