Akanimo Kufre , Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Police, Donald Awunah had said only effective policing of the populace can save the nation’s democracy.
Awunah said this in his remarks during a reception organized for Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Emmanuel Inyang who is the supervising officer, training and development, South –South.
Awunah noted that 90% of patrol vehicles in the command have been donated by the Akwa Ibom state government.
Speaking also at the occasion was AIG in charge of Zone 6, Abubakar Marafa. Marafa lauded IGP Etim Inyang who made history in Nigerian police force as the foremost policeman to rise from Police Constable to the rank of Inspector General of Police.
The visiting DIG Inyang in his lecture, charged officers and men of Akwa Ibom Police Command to shun corruption and uphold discipline as the main ethics of operation.
Inyang also emphasized the need for visibility policing and cordial interaction with sister security agencies, traditional rulers, captain of industries to bring policing effectively to the grass root.
On police welfare package, DIG Inyang assured that 2014 promotion will soon be release, as well as recruitment of 31,000 police officers annually for the next 5 years.
The news was received with excitement by the officers especially junior ratings as this development will relief them of strenuous schedule of working 6am-6pm.
“I want to let you know that we know your problem and we are worried. Recruited people are passing out very soon. You know we lost so many police officers to Boko Haram, insurgency here and there. Many have retired and no recruitment for more than five years. So we are going to recruit people massively. The ratio of police is 1: 600 whereas United Nation standard is 1: 400. To meet up this standard of 1:400, we have to recruit 31,000 police officers every year for the next five years.” Inyang reassured.
The Akwa Ibom born DIG noted that officers who do not enjoy benefit of promotion do not have adequate record and should update their records at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. Also Inyang encouraged the officers to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to avoid wasting so much on medical bills.
Other welfare interventions according to him, include the decentralization of cooperative processing in Lagos and provision of Housing scheme for all policemen and women. Moreover, there was good welfare news for retired police officers as the visiting DIG said that retirement arrears have been approved and the money available.
