October 27, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to auction all Police barracks nationwide.
The call followed a resolution of the House after adopting a motion of urgent public interest moved Thursday, at plenary, by Murphy Omoruyi (LP-Edo).
Noting that Nigeria Inherited the system of keeping police and other law enforcement officials in barracks from colonial authority, Omoruyi said his proposal was informed by the appalling living condition police officers in the country.
He recalled that the Police Reform Bill signed into law on September 16, 2020, by former President, Muhammadu Buhari, emphasised improving living conditions of police officers in the country.
The lawmaker said the appalling living condition of police officers in Nigeria had lowered their morale and productivity, adding that because of the existing circumstances, police officers are stigmatised as corrupt because of their inadequate benefits.
Decrying the decaying condition of police barracks in the country, Omoruyi said security agents resides in barracks infested with bats, leaking roofs, and wide wall.
He suggested that in replacement of the abolishment of the barracks model, officers should be given “Housing Allowance”, which would be determined by rank, existing police salary structure and location.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Police Affairs to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprise to assess the value of all federal-owned barracks across the country. The lawmakers also said that a public offering should be announced for the same.
The House constituted an ad hoc committee to produce a comprehensive addendum to the Police Reform Bill with input from all relevant stakeholders.
It also mandated the Committee on Appropriation to ensure a redeployment of the funds meant for the maintenance of barracks across the country.
The House urged the committee to make annual budgetary allocation for a befitting “Housing Allowance” for serving police officers while mandating the Committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance
The committee has four weeks to report back to the House.
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