SECURITY: Buhari Approves N13.3bn Take-off For Community Policing

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the federation.

Buhari disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat organized to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of this Administration.

Buhari who highlighted the efforts of his administration so far in security, said the approval was part of effort to improve security of lives and properties nationwide.

He said, ‘‘As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which will significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.

“We have also approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.”

The President also disclosed that the Ministry of Defence has been instructed to create a modest military industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

He explained that the establishment of the industrial complex would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

The project he said, is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

Talking about other efforts to strengthen national security, the President said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria has received six A-29 Super Tucano.

He said the propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.

The President used the occasion of the retreat, the third edition since the second term of his administration, to highlight some of the Federal Government’s notable achievements in the last two years.

He listed accomplishments in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, economy, electricity supply, the petroleum industry, among others.