Reps to debate “Police Procurement Fund” Bill  

The Nigerian House of Representatives will be debating a Police Procurement Fund Bill when the House resumes in September. 

What’s its content? 

The Bill, which is sponsored by Obinna Chidoka (Idemili North/South Federal Constituency, Anambra State), seeks to provide a dedicated Fund for the Nigeria Police Force, with which the Force can procure necessary equipment to aid the performance of its duties. Body armour, ballistic vests, armaments and munitions, electronic surveillance equipment, armoured vehicles, helicopters, personnel carriers, and communication equipment are some of the items listed for the Fund’s purpose. Others include; renovations, training, welfare, and enhancement of police performance. 

How will the funding be sourced? 

The Bill proposes the sources of funding to include government allocation and voluntary donations. Some of the proposed sources include; a 1% deduction from monthly revenue allocations due to the federal, state, and local governments; any other sums, from time to time, freely donated by other Governments, International Bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Private Sector, and such sums as may be provided for the purpose of equipping the Police by the Federal Government. 

How about the management of the Fund? 

In Clause Three, the bill proposes the establishment of a Police Procurement Fund Board, whose membership will include the President, 36 State Governors, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Inspector-General of Police, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, as well as Accountant General of the Federation. Part 2 of the Clause proposes the duties of the Board to include the organization, administration, and disbursement of the Police Procurement Fund, and the performance of other duties in fulfillment of the purposes of the bill.