Following the observations by two members of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, over non-implementation of the 20 percent upward review of police salaries approved by the federal government, the Committee has summoned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, the Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze.
The members of Reps on Police Affairs, made the observations, after the representatives of Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Musiliu Smith, raised the issue at a public hearing on Tuesday after lamenting over the poor working conditions of police officers, and the difficulties they face to access their benefits after their retirement from active service.
The two representatives of the IGP and the chairman of the PSC also complained about the non-implementation of the Nigeria Police Act which are:
A Bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which is to regulate the powers of the NPF in order to promote effective collaboration between police and other security agencies and to provide for the operational framework for community policing in Nigeria;
A Bill for an Act to amend the Firearms Act Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, meant to increase fines, provide for strict prison terms and licensing fees;
A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Institute, Share in Kwara State.
However, the Reps on Police Affairs finally submitted that, the Committee need to meet with the relevant authorities, to find out the reasons for the delays in the upward review of police officers remuneration across the country.
The Committee also stated that, there is also a need to exclude officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the envelope budget system, as well as the pension scheme, which the Committee agreed, had been affecting officers of the NPF negatively.