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20% pay rise alone won’t stop corruption among Nigeria police officers, says Saviour Akpan
20% pay rise alone won’t stop corruption among Nigeria police officers, says Saviour Akpan
The recent federal government approval for new allowances that would see the take home pay of Nigeria police personnel increased by at least 20% may not stop corruption in the force unless other welfare packages of officers are significantly improved.
This was the position of Mr Saviour Akpan, the Executive Director of COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peace Building, while speaking on Passion FM’s programme, ‘Security, Human Rights and You’, last week, in Uyo.
Akpan, who acknowledged Maigari Dingyadi, police affairs minister’s announcement for a proposed “peculiar allowance” for the police to take off from January 2022, submitted that the new pay package was unacceptable, saying that the pay rise “is an entangled solution because there is no corresponding better working environment for the officers”.
The least ranked police constable in Nigeria currently earns about N43,000 (
source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/shocker-buharis-directive-on-police-flouted-3-times/amp) however, said that there are still other aspects of welfare that should be looked into for officers to put in their best in service to the nation.
He said: “Aside from pay rise, what about other welfare packages? Truth is, even if a constable starts earning above N150,000, for example, some of these malpractices may not stop unless the proper thing is done.
“I am not in support of corrupt police officers but to reduce some of these things, the issue of improved and quality welfare have to be looked into with utmost sincerity from the authorities.
“Police officers now use laptops, and other gadgets such as printers, papers, inks, and staplers basically; when those things are not available, there is a possibility that officers might still ask for money from people when those services are needed.
“You cannot expect an officer to put his hands in his pocket and bring the money for office equipment. Go to our police stations today, you will see that the quality of the furniture are very bad.”
Akpan recommended the removal of the police from the contributing pension scheme, and called for best condition of service for police officers in Nigeria.
“The government should stop making audio increase because it carries along with it an unprecedented increase in prices of basic commodities in the market, and essential services beyond the purchasing power of officers who got the increase”.
