According to AIG Bala Hassan who took over in September from
AIG Matthew Mbu, , the Police High Command had introduced better welfare package
for its officers and men. These initiatives are morale boosters to the officers
and men.
“As directed by the IG, when we send our men out on patrol
on the highways, we give them rations and water to satisfy their hunger as they
cannot get such things to buy in the bush.
“We also send officers to go and monitor their welfare and
such officers do not go there empty-handed.
“This is happening for the first time as part of the welfare
package,’’ Hassan said.
AIG Hassan, who oversees Zone 2 that comprises of Lagos and
Ogun States, said the police authorities are building houses across the
country, using their personnel in the various engineering fields. The
initiative is part of efforts aimed at ensuring that officers have their own
houses before retirement.
“The IG has also commenced police housing scheme and this is
different from what others have done.
“The IG has made our
housing and works department vibrant because we have graduates in the force
that read architecture and other related engineering courses.
“He has assembled them to construct the houses and since
they are paid salaries, they are not going to be paid any workmanship.’’
Hassan disclosed that the project had commenced in three
states and would extend to other state soon.
He said: “They have started constructing houses for officers
in Kastina, Edo and one other state.
“The idea is to ensure that officers get houses at very
cheap rates.
“Once you are sure that after retirement you have a place of
your own, the officer will not molest people here and there.
“These are some of the things the I-G has packaged as
welfare for our men so that they can perform better.’’
Hassan also disclosed that the police had unveiled a health
programme for officers and men.
“The IG has directed that every police officer whose father,
mother, wife, children or any relation has any terminal disease should be
treated here in Nigeria free instead of going to India.
“The treatment covers diseases such as cancer and others.
On scholarships, Hassan said the police had begun doling out
of scholarships to children of policemen who excel in public examinations.
“The scholarship will
cover their education from secondary school to the university level.’’
Credit: NAN
