Put the police in order, Buhari charges commission

President Muhammadu Buhari, has charged members of the Police Service Commission to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force delivers on its responsibilities.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the 2018 Annual Report of the Commission, President Buhari said, “the Commission has the most challenging responsibility of carrying out oversight responsibilities of the Police Force.

This is even as the Commission has said the burden of inadequate funding has continued to persist thereby putting the commission at disadvantage.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted that by the mandate of the Commission, the task of appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of officers of the Nigerian Police Force, except the Inspector General, fell under it.

He stated: “The people that comprise this commission are mostly personally known to me and some of them have been through the mill as it were, therefore I expect them to put the Police in order.

“I personally believe that the Inspector General is doing his best, the Police are always in the frontline and unless we get the police working effectively, the security of this country will remain in doubt.

“Your assignment is enormous and calls for sacrifice and commitment especially now that almost every country is faced with severe internal security challenges. Nigeria is no exception.”

The President also praised the Commission for new ideas introduced into the workings of the Force, saying “I am aware that you have put policies in place to reposition the Police Force in the areas of merit-driven promotion and prompt disciplinary actions. Government will require that you redouble your efforts and ensure that the Police Force receives the required assistance for optimum service delivery.”

He also called on the Commission to ensure harmonious working relationship with the Police Force.

President Buhari said: “I wish to see close communication and understanding between you and the Nigeria Police. This is necessary for the overall efficiency and effectiveness in securing the country.”

Earlier in his address, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, noted that the envelope system of federal budgeting has left the Commission

always financially crippled and unable to attend adequately to its very important constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, the commission has continued to face the reality of inadequate funds to verify and conduct the processes leading to Police recruitment, Police promotion and police discipline.

“Most glaring are the fewness of full time Members and the poor remuneration of the Staff of the Commission in relation to other Commissions in the Federation.

“It is interesting to note that Commission staff are paid salaries lower than their counterparts in the Nigeria Police Force which the Commission oversees,” he stated.