IGP seeks improved budget allocation for police

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday, called for improved budgetary allocation for the Nigeria Police Force as a way to enable the force to effectively discharge its mandate.
He lamented that the annual budgetary allocation to the force with regards to capital projects and overhead did not reflect the enormous responsibilities of the force.
Idris spoke when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, led by its Chairman, Mr Haliru Jika, paid a visit to the Force Headquarters and noted that allocation to the force had been grossly inadequate in spite of the increasing security challenges it had to battle with.
Idris disclosed that only 25 per cent (N4 billion) of the N16 billion appropriated for capital projects in 2016 was released, leaving a whooping N12 billion.
According to him, the non-release of appropriated capital budget had hindered the force from accomplishing its objective.
The police boss said the force received N6 billion as overhead allocation out of the N9.2 billion appropriated for 2016, leaving an outstanding of N2.8 billion.
Idris also said that out of the N285 appropriated, N273 was paid through the platform, leaving a balance of N10 billion.
He said, “The amount released and cash-backed in September is being utilised for payment of completed and ongoing projects.
Speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Mr Haliru Jika, assured the police of support to achieve their mandate.