NLC Demands Creation Of State, LG Police

Ahead of May 1, 2024 Workers’ Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has listed seven demands from the Federal Government.
Aside from demanding for a new minimum wage, the NLC is also asking for the creation of state and local government police to tackle insecurity in the country.
The congress also stressed that states and local governments, as well as the organised private sector, must pay the new minimum wage when it is eventually approved.
The demands are coming a few weeks after 16 state governors submitted reports expressing their support for establishing state police to the National Economic Council.
In the report, they also recommended changes to the Constitution to allow for the creation of state police.
The reports were part of documentation received at the 140th NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa last Thursday.
Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed that in a statement titled, ‘NEC endorses take-off of $617M i-DICE programme across States.’
According to the statement, NEC is still awaiting reports from 20 States. It expressed confidence that others would support it.
Disclosing discussions at the NEC meeting, Nkwocha said, the “Secretary to NEC (Nebeolisa Anako) made a presentation on submissions by states on the state policing initiative. Reports have been received by 16 states on the establishment of state police. 20 states have yet to send in their reports. All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police.
“States made presentations in support of the creation of state police. They also recommended changes in the constitution, and the current policing structure to enable the operationalisation of the initiative.”
This comes weeks after the federal and state governments, on February 16, 2024, resolved to develop modalities to create state police to tackle the country’s security crisis.