The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Hon. Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto in his quest to garner support for the funding of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has visited the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) where he was received by the Managing Director, Hajia Hadiza Bala-Usman. The MD., Nigeria Ports Authority assured the NPTF‘s Chief Executive of the Ports Authority’s support to the mandate of NPTF. She said” The NPA will support you in every way it can, even beyond our mandate but also as individuals…to build a Police Force that will provide the attendant Security needed” She also charged the Executive Secretary on the need to expedite action on executing the mandate of NPTF. “…do what you can within the shortest period to show relevance within the sector, within the shortest possible time” “Being the pioneer Executive Secretary a lot falls on your shoulder and it is an opportunity for you to show your capacity within the huge responsibility you’re faced with” she added.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary,Hon. Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto stated that the purpose of his visit to NPA was to intimate the organisation about the mandate of NPTF and solicit for collaboration that will enhance the fulfillment of NPTF’s mandate as stipulated in the NPTF’s Act 2020. “The purpose of my visit is to keep you abreast of the mandate and the activities of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund as well as to seek close working relationship between our organisation and the Nigeria Ports Authority” he stated. “The Trust Fund is envisioned to build a well-trained, well-equipped and well-motivated Police Force that will be prompt and responsive to security challenges in line with best global practices” he revealed further. He also mentioned the mission of the Trust Fund thus “its mission is to provide critical needs that will ensure overall improvement and efficiency as they discharge their duties and responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and its auxiliary colleges and institutions.”
Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto reveals that the sources of the fund to NPTF includes 0.05% of total revenue from the Federation Accounts, a levy of 0.005% of net profits of all companies operating in Nigeria, Grants, special intervention funds as may be provided by the National Assembly in the Budget. Endowments, Donations, Grants, Aids, and other assistance from private sectors and development partners as well as monies derived from investment on the Fund of the Trust Fund. He expounded further “the Fund is to be utilised for the training and retraining of Police personnel of the Nigeria Police Force within and outside the country, the purchase of equipment and material needs of the Police like operational vehicles, Construction of Police infrastructure such as offices, barracks and quarters.
He solicited for support from relevant agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority
as well as individuals as he revealed that the current Fund accruing to the Trust Fund is inadequate to meet up with the enormous challenges of rebuilding the Nigeria Police Force and the current myriad of security challenges across the Nation. “…presently the Trust Fund depends substantially on the revenue accruing from the Federation Account for the implementation of these programs and activities..and cannot sustain the Trust Fund and the attainment of the mandate.” He used the medium to canvass for cooperation and intervention of revenue agencies like NPA in the implementation of projects and programme of Nigeria Police Force.
It will be recalled that in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act into law. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act 2019 is an intervention instrument to provide funding for a well-trained, well-equipped and motivated Nigeria Police Force. It is generall believed that the Nigeria Police Force is in critical need of intervention for its training, crime-fighting equipment and improved welfare for quality service delivery to the most populous black nation on earth.