By Augustine Ehikioya
The Presidency has challenged Nigeria’s organised private sector to develop a comprehensive financing and implementation blueprint for the proposed State Police system.
It said that businesses must take an active role in building security institutions that protect investments and drive economic resilience.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, threw the challenge at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, NES, in Abuja.
He specifically tasked the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, chambers of commerce and business associations to produce practical proposals for financing, institutional management and accountable partnerships.
Gbajabiamila, who spoke at a plenary session on “Security, Stability and Economic Resilience” at Transcorp Hilton, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to State Police presents opportunity for businesses to contribute directly to development of security institutions capable of supporting sustainable growth.
“I therefore ask the Nigerian Economic Summit Group to carry this engagement beyond our meeting. Bring forward a considered private sector contribution on financing and implementing state police, with practical proposals for accountable partnerships.
“Take that work into the legislative process and into your engagement with state governments. For our part, we remain answerable for turning reform into protection that people can rely on,” he said.
He said insecurity is already imposing enormous costs on businesses through disrupted supply chains, abandoned investments, postponed factory expansions and lost opportunities, hence the private sector has a direct stake in the success of reform.
“Your participation should also improve the substance of the reform. As the legislative process proceeds, examine the proposals for financing and oversight.
“Bring your experience of managing institutions and controlling expenditure to that discussion. Help us understand the security failures that prevent viable projects from proceeding,” Gbajabiamila stated.
The Chief of Staff however warned that private sector involvement must be transparent and must never compromise independence of police institutions.
