GOVERNOR WIKE MAKES CASE FOR A DECENTRALIZED SECURITY SYSTEM IN NIGERIA


The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has again reiterated his position on creating a true federal system in Nigeria. The Governor has never held back words to express this position, and this time, during his address at the National Council of Traditional Rulers’ 9th General Assembly in Port Harcourt, Wike made an argument for a decentralized security system in Nigeria. He said the current centralized system has “flatly failed” and is not sensitive enough to tackle challenges in a country like Nigeria with vast cultural dynamics.

The Governor cited examples in Benue and Taraba where there are cases of clashes between herdsmen and farmers, which has left indigenous farmers at the mercy of herdsmen. He said these cases expose the weakness of the current centralized policing system in Nigeria.

"The reality before the nation is that centralized policing has flatly failed and is incapable of resolving the enormous security challenges of a vast and culturally diverse country like Nigeria.
"And even as we may continue to live in denial, the recurring bloodbaths in Benue, Taraba and other States have once again exposed the weaknesses of our country’s centralized policing system as well as the frustrations and near complete helplessness of State Governors in their quest to provide adequate security for the communities and the people that they govern."

The Governor mentioned that there is an executive bill at the State Assembly to establish a Neighbourhood policing agency “to cooperate, support, and complement” the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the state.

"Already, we have forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly to establish the Neighbourhood Security Corps to cooperate, support and complement the efforts of the regular security agencies in policing our communities and advancing their security."

Wike, during the presentation of the State Appropriation bill earlier this month, said the executive arm had already made provisions in the budget to fund the Neighbourhood Security Corp when it is finally established.




Source: touchph.com