From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja, 02.27.2006

Speaking at the opening of the two-day event, Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Muhammadu Danmadami, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, said the decision of government to set up the committee was because of the rot evident in the Force, noting that the various problems bedevilling the Nigeria Police had hampered its efficiency and effectiveness.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawrence Alobi appealed to members of the Committee to pay special attention to the needs of the Command, because Abuja is the nation’s capital.
He said, “Abuja being the Federal Capital of Nigeria deserves a special attention in the areas of security and policing. That is why officers and men of the Abuja Police Command work 24/7 to ensure that Abuja is safe and secured for all law abiding citizens. We know that the task of repositioning and re-engineering the Nigeria Police is both daunting and challenging.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el Rufai lauded the public hearing, saying it was coming on the heels of a recent threat by junior officers to go on strike, a situation that he described as not auguring well for the nation.
El Rufai who was represented by Engr. Sani Alhassan, Director FCDA, noted that Nigerians, especially residents of the FCT are being given an opportunity to contribute their ideas on the type of Police they desire. “This shows Mr. President as a leader who believes in dialogue and consensus, which are the hall marks of democracy.”
He added that “Since this government came into power in 1999, it has been doing its best to improve the lot of the Police, who were badly treated by the military that saw them as rivals. It was no wonder that Police personnel were forced to stagnate for years without promotion, or training programmes.”
He pledged the FCT Administration’s support to the FCT Command adding that in recent times, the FCTA had donated vehicles, communications equipment and allow-ances, all geared towards ensuring that crimes are either nipped in the bud or detected at points of occurrence.
Groups that made presentations yesterday include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Police Officers Wives Association (NIPOWA) and Road Transport Employers Association etc.