Govt can’t meet 10% of police requirements – Obi

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state yesterday expressed concern over the poor funding of the Nigeria Police Force, saying government “cannot even meet up 10 percent of the capital requirements of the police.”

Speaking to state House correspondents after a meeting of Interim Implementation Committee on Police Reform, he said the meeting discussed ways of raising additional funds for the police to perform its duties diligently.

He said: “The issue is that the police are underfunded, grossly, and this committee is trying to help them to raise money. There can never be a situation where a country cannot even foot up to ten percent of the capital requirements of the Police.

“Security is the most important issue, for us today. You can’t talk about anything without security, and if that is the most important issue, you should fund it at least reasonably.”

He said state governments would continue to partner with the federal government to enhance the performance of the Nigeria Police Force.

Also speaking, Minister of Affairs, Mr. Caleb Olubolade, said N20 billion had been earmarked in this year’s budget for the Police transformation programme.

He said the priority of the ministry was to ensure the smooth take-up of the Police University in Wudil, Kano state, to facilitate the training of the police personnel across the country.

“So, our priority is to commence the degree-awarding institution in Kano, to start training officers who are more versatile, young blood, who can inject professionalism into the Police,” he said.