Joint Committee urges increased budget for Police Service Commission, citing inadequate funding

The Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs raised concerns on Monday regarding the insufficient funding of the Police Service Commission (PSC). During the presentation of the Commission’s 2024 budget at the National Assembly in Abuja, the Committee called upon the executive arm of the government, particularly President Bola Tinubu, to reconsider the consistently meager budget allocation and enhance it for the sake of effective policing.

Senator Abdulhaid Madori, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and spokesperson for the committee, emphasized the significance of security in President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. He expressed dissatisfaction with the grossly inadequate budgetary allocation to the PSC in 2024, stressing the need for increased support to address the challenges in the policing sector.

Madori underscored the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to take security matters seriously and provide necessary support to empower the Commission in alleviating the difficulties faced by the police force. While acknowledging the persistent problem of poor budget implementation in Nigeria, he expressed confidence that with the support of President Tinubu and the 10th National Assembly led by Senate President Godwill Akpabo, tangible impacts would be felt by Nigerians through the renewed hope budget.

The lawmaker emphasized that critical projects, particularly in security and infrastructure, are essential for President Tinubu to fulfill his mandate. Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission and former Inspector General of Police, assured that he would lead the Commission to the pride of Nigerians. Arase highlighted the necessity for proper funding to continue the reform initiatives he initiated upon assuming office. The call for increased budgetary allocation aims to address the pressing needs and challenges within the Police Service Commission.