Former Commissioner of Police Alobi
A Former Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawrence Alobi has called for improved welfare for officers and men of the Nigeria Police to enhance their operations and boost security in the country.
Alobi, who made the call at the launch and fund raising ceremony of the Haruna John Foundation on Wednesday in Abuja, said the welfare of policemen was appalling.
Alobi also called for a uniform remuneration for all federal government workers and adequate remuneration for security agencies that put their lives on the line for the safety of life and property of the people.
“Government should think about the welfare of its people and security personnel,” he urged.
He said that government had a duty as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution to provide for security the people.
Alobi noted that police had not adequately planned for the retirement of its personnel like the military that organised retirement training for its officers.
He urged government to put structures in place to strengthen the operations of all security agencies in the country.
The former commissioner of police advised personnel of the force to always plan ahead of their retirement, adding that government alone could not do that for them.
In a remark, retired Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Usman said that the welfare of security personnel was critical to the development of any nation.
He said that there was need for the review of policy on the welfare of security agencies to enhance their performance.
Usman said that funds meant for the welfare of security personnel should not be channelled through the heads of the agencies to avoid leakages.
He called for adequate welfare of the both serving and families of deceased security personnel to motivate other officers to put in their best in protecting the country.
The retired Army officer also called for the review of military pensioners to enhance their living standard.
Earlier, Jennesse Haruna, Founder of the Foundation said that it was formed as a platform to advocate for reforms of working conditions for the force and armed forces through continuous dialogue with stakeholders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation is a welfare and justice initiative, established for police officers and their families.
It is also charged with the responsibility of engaging in capacity building for widows of deceased officers and simplifies benefit system for officers, among others.
It is named after the late John Haruna, former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (operations) Force Headquarters, Abuja, who died in an helicopter crash on March 15, 2012 in Kabong area of Jos, Plateau.( NAN)