By Augustine Ehikioya
To ensure calmness and focus among officers and men of the Delta State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police (CP), CP Ari Muhammed Ali, has assured Personnel of the genuine commitment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), IGP Usman Alkali Baba, to improved welfare and implementation of the new salary scheme.
He spoke during interactive session with officers and men of the command in Asaba, Delta State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
According to the CP, embarking on strike action is not an option in the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement said “Following the directive of the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, CP Ari Muhammad Ali had an interactive session with officers and men of the Command on 23rd March, 2022.
“During the session, the CP raised the issue of the fake strike action notice that has since gone viral, noting that we all have a stake to nip it in the bud. He said that the Police is a regimented organization with laid down rules and regulations guiding its operations and that there are procedures to address grievances and strike action is certainly not a part of it.
“The CP informed them of the IGP’S mission and vision to reposition the Force and urged them to do all it takes to key into the IGP’s vision and support him. He noted that the IGP has promised to ensure the implementation the new salary scheme and also the removal of tax from Police salaries.
“He stated that 40% increment on rent allowances and 20% increment on risk allowances has been approved and it’s with immediate effect,” it said
The statement went on “The CP during the interactive session, said that this current administration headed by IGP Usman Alkali Baba has ensured that promotions across all ranks is done as at when due and will be sustained.
“The CP said that the IGP has assured officers and men of massive distribution of equipments and kits particularly to members of the rank and files. Approval for prompt payment of allowances for special duty, distribution of two hundred (200) bufallo trucks across the Federation, expansion of Police medical services, reintroduction and strengthening of the NPF scholarship scheme for dependents of Police officers, incorporation of the NPF insurance company to guarantee seamless insurance services to officers as well as the general public among many other reformations are ongoing.”
Besides what the IGP has been doing to reposition the Force, the CP said that modern Police Stations are currently being built all over the Federation, including Delta State and also “renovations are going on in some barracks even at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.”
The CP also urged all officers and men to go on “with their normal duties while assuring them of the IGP’s commitment to their welfare and as such it will be unwise and unfair to embark on any strike action.”
The statement said that officers and men in response to the CP, echoed their support and assured “the IGP and the CP of their commitment to service, noting that they will not be part of any strike action or any other act that will bring the good name of the Force and the Command into disrepute.”