The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian government to address the deplorable living conditions of police officers and take immediate steps to auction police barracks across the country. This resolution comes after Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi raised the issue during a session in the House.
During the discussion, Omoruyi highlighted that the Police Reform Bill 2020, which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on September 16, 2020, aimed to improve the living conditions of our courageous police officers. However, the problem of providing adequate and dignified accommodation for them still persists despite previous efforts.
For instance, between 2019 and 2022, the Federal Government spent over 5 billion Naira on renovating barracks. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been able to meet the basic needs of police officers due to the dilapidated state and lack of maintenance of the barracks.
Omoruyi emphasized that having police officers live among the general population instead of in secluded barracks would align with the calls for community-oriented policing strategies, thereby enhancing public safety. He further highlighted that the barracks housing system for police officers is an outdated colonial practice that has been abandoned by colonialists in their home countries.
The lawmaker expressed concern about the squalor conditions in which police officers and their families live, including cracked walls, bat-infested houses, leaking roofs, and dilapidated structures across the country. He noted that the prevailing lack of welfare services contributes to the negative perception of police officers as corrupt.
The House of Representatives is deeply disturbed by the loss of confidence and respect from the public towards our gallant officers due to their poor conditions of service. The deplorable living conditions have a detrimental effect on the morale and productivity of the officers.
Omoruyi urged for the abolishment of the barracks model, proposing its replacement with an enhanced “housing allowance” based on rank, existing police salary structure, and location. This measure would greatly improve the welfare, morale, and productivity of police officers, ultimately benefiting the general public.
In response to the motion, the House, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, unanimously adopted it through a voice vote. Speaker Abbas urged the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Police Affairs to collaborate with the Bureau of Public Enterprise in assessing the value of all federally-owned barracks and initiating a public offering for their auction.
Furthermore, Speaker Abbas announced the formation of an ad hoc committee comprised of relevant stakeholders to draft a comprehensive addendum to the Police Reform Bill within four weeks. The committee will present its findings to the House for further legislative action.
Additionally, the House Committee on Appropriation has been tasked with reallocating funds designated for barracks maintenance towards the construction of suitable “Housing Allowance” for serving police officers. The Committee on Police Affairs is responsible for ensuring compliance with these measures.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives has taken significant steps towards improving the living conditions and welfare of Nigerian police officers. By addressing the long-standing issue of dilapidated barracks and proposing alternative housing arrangements, the House aims to enhance the well-being, morale, and productivity of our gallant officers, ultimately strengthening public safety and confidence in the Nigerian police force.
