Insecurity: FG Approves N13bn For Community Policing

… SGF, Govs, IGP To Work Out Details Of Expenditure

The Federal Government on Thursday, approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the commencement of community policing in the country.

Its aim is to address the country’s security challenges.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

The statement was titled “FG approves N13bn for take-off of community policing in Nigeria.”

According to Akande, following the approval, the National Economic Council during its virtual meeting, resolved that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi, and two other governors, should meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and other officials to coordinate the funding of the initiative.

The virtual meeting was presided over by the VP, Yemi Osinbajo.

The other officials are the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

“The National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Policing had made a presentation on its assignment to the council, noting that engagement with key stakeholders on the operationalisation of community policing in the country was ongoing,” the statement reads.

It added, “The presentation was made by Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum.

“Other reports received by council at today’s meeting included reports on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country; flood disaster risk management in Nigeria for 2020, and the issue of compensation payments regarding federal highway projects across the country.

“Responding to two presentations on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: one by NEC’s Adhoc committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, and the other by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the state governors commended the efforts and commitment of the Federal Government in containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting states’ response capacity through various interventions.

“The NCDC report indicates that the positivity rate has fallen from 19.7% in June to 13.7% in August 2020, while number of states with testing laboratories increased from two to 32, including the FCT.”

A presentation, according to the statement, was also received from the Chairman National Economic Council Ad- Hoc Committee on Security and Policing.

The issue of community policing has been on the front burner for a long time now.

Those in support of it believe that it will effectively deal with criminal activities at the grassroots.