Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has said that for the security organization to function effectively, it requires nothing less than N1.13 trillion annually as against N31.6 billion which it got through the 2017 budget and out of which the government released only a paltry.
IGP Idris made the submission before the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on Wednesday during a one day Public Hearing on a bill seeking the establishment of Police Development Fund.
Idris said the sum of N1. 3 trillion it was seeking is the current value of N506billion recommended for that purpose in 2008 by the late MD Yusufu led Police Reform Committee.
He lamented that the Police, based on yearly budgetary provisions made for it, is grossly underfunded and has, therefore, remained incapacitated in carrying out its fundamental duties of ensuring security, law and order across the federation.
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Giving a breakdown of the overhead costs of the security outfit, the IG said that out of the N19. 9bn required to fuel its 14, 306 vehicles and 3, 115 motorcycles on yearly basis, only a billion naira could be set aside from the total amount of money it got in the year.
He said the development also affected the kitting of about 300, 000 personnel the Police could boast of, saying the amount required by the Police stood at N14. 58bn.
“In 2017 budget, only N1.7bn was earmarked for that, whereas, the amount required was not fully released with attendant improper kitting of men and officers of the Force.
He expressed support for the passing of the bill into law, saying “Police Trust Fund Bill will definitely offer 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”.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC Katsina South) in his contribution said that for the purposes of accountability the trust fund to be gathered for the force would not be centralized at the Centre but directly wired to state and local Police formation.
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