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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved a budget of N124.2 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for the 2024 fiscal year. This decision followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.
During the plenary session, Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC-Oyo), Vice-Chairman of the committee, presented the report, detailing the proposed expenditure. He stated that the committee reviewed and approved the N124.2 billion figure, which includes N1.2 billion for personnel costs and N98.6 billion for capital expenditure.
Senator Akintunde emphasised that the budget would support critical initiatives such as police training, the rehabilitation and construction of police stations, and the upgrade of essential facilities nationwide. He added that the funds would also cover the renovation of barracks and clinics, as well as the procurement of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and related interventions to improve police mobility and sustainability.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed optimism that the approved budget would enhance national security. He called on the Police Affairs Committee to conduct rigorous oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the fund’s implementation.
“The expenditures that we might hear from the Police Trust Fund should enhance security all over the nation. The committee should also ensure that they do proper oversight so that every kobo that is herein appropriated will be used for the benefit of the police and the nation in general,” Akpabio remarked.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund was established to provide an alternative funding source for the training, welfare, and operational needs of the Nigeria Police Force, with the overarching goal of improving law enforcement effectiveness across the country.