The Nigerian Senate don begin move to expand funding for Nigeria Police Force and, as e be, lawmakers don pass bill to re-enact Nigeria Police Trust Fund for second reading. Meanwhile, the proposal dey target multiple funding sources to strengthen security operations across the country.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announce the passage during Tuesday plenary after majority of senators support am through voice vote. However, dem don refer the bill to Senate Committee on Police for further legislative work, including public hearing within two weeks.
The bill, wey Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, sponsor, seek to allocate 1% of total revenue from Federation Account to police funding. As a result, the move go help ensure operational independence and better performance for law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, the proposed law also include other funding sources like development levies, grants from federal, state and local governments, donations, international support and private sector contributions.
Interestingly, Nigeria first establish Police Trust Fund in 2019 as intervention measure to tackle chronic underfunding of the police. At that time, the fund depend mainly on 0.5% of Federation revenue, alongside donations and grants.
However, despite the intervention, security experts don continue to raise concerns over poor equipment, weak welfare, and lack of manpower, which affect police ability to tackle crimes like terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime.
Moreover, Nigeria current police-to-population ratio still far below global standard, with about 300,000 officers serving over 200 million people. Consequently, lawmakers argue say urgent funding expansion necessary to meet rising security challenges.
During debate, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, strongly support the bill, saying e align with national security needs and constitutional provisions.
On the other hand, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo warn say the proposed 1% deduction from Federation Account fit face legal challenges, especially from state governments. In addition, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai argue say police problem no be funding alone but also lack of proper tools and operational support.
Responding to the concerns, Akpabio assure say public hearing go address issues of accountability, transparency and how the new funding structure go fit align with future plans like state police.
As the bill move forward, analysts believe say if passed into law, e fit reshape Nigeria policing system and provide more stable funding framework for security agencies.
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