Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, says  improved funding for Nigeria Police will make the command more effective in its statutory role of protecting lives and property in the country.

Governor Dickson stated this when the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar paid a courtesy call in his office at Government Hosue, Yenagoa,

He declared “there is no alternative to a well funded, trained, motivated and well equipped Police Force in the maintenance of law and order”.

Dickson said his administration was committed to fulfilling its promise of constructing a befitting Officers’ Mess for the state Police Command, saying that the Ministry of Special Projects has been directed to liaise with the state Commissioner of Police for his inputs in the designs of the proposed Officers’ Mess which is expected to be completed in the next 6 months.

He called for an increased Police presence in the state through the construction of a befitting barracks as well as headquarters building for the state Police Command.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the federal government and the Acting IG for giving approval for the setting up of a Special Security outfit in the state.

Governor Dickson intimated the AIG that security has significantly improved in the state and commended the State Police Command as well as the other security agencies for their efforts.

Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar stated that corruption has been drastically reduced by 80 per cent following the removal of road blocks nation-wide.

He noted that road blocks all over the world are mounted temporarily during crisis period, stressing that the order to dismantle them was part of efforts to restore professionalism to the Nigeria Police Force.

The Acting Inspector General of Police said he intends to build a Police Force that will be people-friendly and capable  of providing humanitarian services.

He remarked that his quest to sanitize the Police and the need for its personnel to respect the fundamental human rights of the people, informed the ongoing reforms in the Force, adding that the era of collection of money for bail as bribe was over.

Mr. Abubakar who pointed out that his appointment as Acting IGP came at a time when security challenge was at its peak, attributed the situation to the high level of unemployment and poverty in the country.

He however said, the Police Force was making appreciable progress in the fight against criminality.

The Acting IGP, who also hailed Governor Seriake Dickson his pragmatic steps at enthroning peace and good governance in the state, said Bayelsans were lucky to have him as their governor.

He stated that in no distant time the state will experience rapid socio-economic and infrastructural transformation in all sectors.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a set of Laws of Bayelsa State by Governor Dickson to the Acting Inspector General of Police.