The Federal Government on Tuesday said that a new salary scale for the Nigeria Police will soon commence as the Salaries and National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission has submitted the proposal for an upward review.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, who disclosed this when he appeared before the Joint National Assembly Committee on Police Affairs led by their Chairmen, Haliru Jika (Senate) and Hon. Bello Kumo (House of Representatives), to defend the ministry’s 2021 budget performance and 2022 proposal, said the year under review started in the midst of challenges such as the effect of COVID-19 and EndSARS protests, which inflicted serious social, moral, economic and security setbacks on the police.

He said the situation was further compounded by the myriad of security challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and secessionist agitations cutting across all the six geo-political zones of the country.

The minister however said in spite of these challenges, the ministry has remained focused and extended all necessary requests of support to the Nigeria Police in the fight against this criminality.

Speaking further, Dingyadi noted that the ministry is aware of ongoing discussions to exit the Police Contributory Pension Scheme.

While noting that he did not make a definite statement on their position on the matter, he added that among the successes of the ministry was the implementation of the community policing programme, which saw training and deployment of 25,000 special constables to their local government areas of origin to aid policing.

“In recognition of the take home pay of the police, which necessitated the need to motivate them for better performance, Mr President directed the Salaries and Wages Commission to work out a new salary package for the Nigeria Police and submit it to the government for consideration. In keeping with this directive, the commission in consultation with the relevant stakeholders, have submitted a proposal to the government which is being given the desired and urgent attention,” Dingyadi said.

Also speaking, the Commandant, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, AIG Lawan Jimeta, lamented manpower shortages in both the academy and its administrative wings.

He said the academy has cadet strength presently of over 3,300 and they are expected to be provided with qualitative education, conducive accommodation, three meals a day and combat training facilities, among others.

“The academy is grossly understaffed as many academic programmes are being run without adequate lecturers. Also, the administration and other operations are also in dire need of manpower. Efforts to get employment waivers from the Head of Service of the Federation is yet to yield desired results,” he said.

(THISDAY)

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