Security Expert Backs Bill For Federal, State Police

A security expert, Dr Uche Chukwuma, has backed the proposed bill by the National Assembly for the establishment of State Police, saying it was coming at the right time.
The Tide reports that the Senate is expected to debate on the State Police bill today (Tuesday), sponsored by former Deputy President of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Ike Ekweremadu.
The bill which is being reintroduced in the Senate had failed in 2018 when it was first brought before the national assembly.
The bill seeks to establish a State Police, Federal Police, National Police Service Commission as well as the Federal and State Police Service Commission, among others.
Chukwuma, who is the Director General of the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Watch Agency, while speaking on a live Radio programme in Port Harcourt monitored by The Tide said the present centralized policing system has outlived its usefulness.
He said such a bill was long overdue, but that it was better late than never, just as he lauded the national legislature for summoning the courage to come up with it at this time.
According to him, “This is very apt, coming at the right time. The bill is very much in order. Like I said earlier, the present centralised policing system has outlived its usefulness and this time, Nigerians through the National Assembly go into restructuring the policing architecture of this country.
“And talking about State policing at this point in time, it must have been well overdue. But there is no time to do the right thing that is not right. So I quite appreciate and applaud the National Assembly for being courageous enough to pick up this all important issue.”
Asked if some of the powers given to the State Governors will not lead to politicisation of the proposed bill, he said “No, I don’t think it will bring the issue of politicisation. Let me be very frank to you, I have always said that even the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as it is now should have the voice of the National Assembly in ratifying it.
“Therefore the issue of appointing State Police Commissioner in a State Police Command by the Governor should also have the voice of the State Assembly on it.

By: Dennis Naku