By Jonathan Lois & Mercy Jerry
The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Police Affairs to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprise to immediately assess the value of all federal owned barracks across the country and announce a public offering for same.
This was sequel to a motion of Urgent Public Importance On The Need To Address The Deplorable Living Conditions Of Officers Of The Nigerian Police Force: A Call To Auction All Police Barracks Across The Country, sponsored by Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi.
The House is also to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to produce a comprehensive addendum to the Police Reform Bill with input from all relevant stakeholders and to report back to the House within four weeks period for further legislative action;
It also mandated the Committee on Appropriation to ensure a redeployment of the funds meant for the maintenance of barracks across the country and provide annual budgetary allocation for the construction of befitting “Housing Allowance” for serving police officers;
The motion reads: “The house
Notes; that in September 2020, the Nigerian National Assembly passed the Police Reform Bill 2020, which was signed into law by the former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on September 16, 2020 and one of its core issues was to address the living conditions of our nation’s gallant police officers;
“Also notes; that the problem of adequate and dignified accommodation for police officers persists and has so far outlived all previous measures. For example, between 2019 – 2022 over 5 billion Naira was spent by the Federal Government on barracks renovations. Despite all efforts, barracks continue to fail to meet basic needs in their current state of disrepair and lack of maintenance;
“Aware; that there has been robust national debate and calls for more community oriented policing strategies and having officers of the Nigeria Police Force living amongst the general population, rather than in their secluded barracks will significantly satisfy these calls and enhance public safety; Also aware; that the barracks method of housing for police and local law enforcement officers is a relic colonial practice that has since been abandoned by the same colonialists in their home countries.
“Worried that; Police officers and their families live in squalor quarters characterized by large cracks on the wall, bat-infested houses, leaking roofs and dilapidated structures for barracks across the country;
“Also worried that; our police officers have been tagged as corrupt and this is not far-fetched from lack of welfare services for them.
“Disturbed that, the public have lost confidence and respect in our gallant officers due to their poor condition of service;
“Also disturbed that the deplorable living condition of the police officers has dampen their morale and productivity.
“Cognizant that; if this issue is not urgently addressed, the welfare of our gallant officers will continue to deteriorates,
“Also cognizant that; the abolishment of the barracks model and replacement with an enhanced “Housing Allowance” determined by rank, existing police salary structure and location will be highly beneficial to the officers’ welfare, morale, productivity as well as the good of the general public”.
The House therefore mandated the Committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance to the prayers.
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