By Saminu Ibrahim
Chairman Senate committee on police affairs, Senator Ahmad Abdulhamid Mallam-Madori has charged committee members to set goals, targets and time limits in order to effectively deliver on its legislative mandates.
Mallam-Madori spoke on Wednesday at the inaugural meeting of the committee held in Abuja.
He urged the committee to discharge its responsibilities of oversight with transparency characterised by constructive engagement with all stakeholders, especially with the minister of police affairs, chairman of police service commission and all other stakeholders.
“I urge you to make out time to attend committee meetings, interactive sessions and oversight visits, as your ideas, suggestions and contributions will be invaluable to the committee’s success” Mallam-Madori said.
“I strongly believe in the power of collaboration and inclusivity. I encourage all members of this committee to bring their expertise,
ideas and experience to the table”.
He bemoaned that the country is currently dealing with a number of security problems,
particularly those posed by non-state actors who are wrecking havoc on communal relations and national well-being.
Consequently he said central to “our work will be the review and strengthening of existing laws pertaining to the police, as well as
the propositions of new legislation that addresses emerging security
challenges.
“We should pay particular attention to police welfare, capacity
building and the provision of modern equipment and technology that empowers our officers to effectively carry out their duties”.
On the mandate of the committee, the lawmaker said “in accordance with the senate standing orders 2023 (as amended) order
98 (29) provides the committee’s jurisdiction to include, budget relating to the operation and maintenance of police
Departments and Commands,
Issues relating to recruitment, promotion, benefits and privileges
of members of the Police Force,
Maintenance of law and Order and ensuring internal security of the
nation.
Others he said include, fire-arms control, Annual Budget estimates,
oversight Ministry of Police
Affairs, Police Formation and Command, Police Service Commission, Nigeria
Police Trust Fund and Nigeria Police Academy Wudil.
He however recalled efforts of the 9th Assembly for their
outstanding contributions to the establishment of a legal frame work for the Police Sector.
These efforts, according to him, has undoubtedly contributed to the
strengthening and development of the Nigeria Police Institutions.
He further recalled that the 9th National Assembly passed the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Nigeria Police Academy Acts, 2020, Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2020, Nigeria Police Force College Training Schools and Institutions Act, 2023.
He regretted that the Police Pension Establishment Bill, 2023, passed by the Senate,
was unfortunately, not transmitted to the House of Representatives for
concurrence “as the dispensation was coming to an end”
The lawmaker expressed optimism that the Bill will be revisited by the Committee in due course.
