Community Policing, Solution to Insecurity, Says ALGON

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), yesterday said community policing would address the challenges of insecurity in the country.

ALGON disclosed this in a communiqué issued to newsmen at the end of its two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ikeja. The communiqué was signed by National Publicity Secretary, ALGON, in Abuja, Mr. Solomon Onah.

According to the communiqué, NEC hereby insists that only community policing will solve the problem of insecurity in the country and as such will make Local Government and council to actively engage with the rural populace.

It further said it would make local government and council to also engage with the community leaders, town unions and other stakeholders.

On healthcare, it said the NEC noted with grave concern, the infrastructural deficit in healthcare services across local governments, recalling the deficit as the primary aim of the 774 Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centers Project which commenced in 2007.

“The NEC recognised that the laudable project has over the years suffered severe setbacks and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring its completion, in view especially of the enormous funds already spent on the project.

“The NEC, therefore, directed its Sub-committee on the Project to review, evaluate and revert to NEC within an appropriate timeframe; the sub-committee is also expected to perform close oversight going forward.

“NEC also emphasised the need for the contractor to intensify efforts aimed at rapidly increasing the volume of completed Healthcare Centers to justify the huge sum so far paid.

“To do so with careful attention to quality of materials used, scope of work agreed and timelines set,’’ it said.

The communiqué said the NEC also approved a further one-year extension of service for the Association’s Director General, Mrs. Binta Adamu Bello, whose renewed tenure would now expire in August 2022.

“The NEC approved and announced the final Flag off of the Federal, State and Local Governments joint project on National Anti-Multiple Taxation Scheme (NAMTAXS) and National Transit Insurance Scheme (NATIS) in November 2021.

“It also agreed to a more inclusive meeting on the projects for all the LGAs and Council Chairmen to bring them up to speed with all aspects of both projects.

“It may be recalled that the projects are aimed at promoting ease of doing businesses in Nigeria, shore up revenue, bring rescue, safety, security and to permanently eradicate illegal roadblocks, illegal multiple taxes, levies, fees and attendant assaults.

“It will also eradicate molestations and sometimes killings to which ordinary Nigerians are subjected or exposed. The insurance component is expected to guarantee investment portfolio in case of damage or loss related to road accidents.

“It is also designed with effective Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement teams with the support of multi-sectoral engagement including, ICT, Police and other MDAs,’’ it said.

It said in view of ongoing Constitutional Amendment, NEC had continued to advocate virile local governments and Councils.

It added NEC had thrown its weight unanimously behind the unification of Tenure of Local Governments and Council Chairmen for a consolidated four years as was the case with other tiers of Government.

The communiqué said the NEC had lamented the current status of Revenue Allocation to the Councils and called for an upward review from its present 20.6 per cent to 35.5 per cent under the current review as already submitted to the National Assembly.

“The NEC has renewed its determination to have robust leadership at the Councils through international collaboration and peer review.

It said the NEC therefore, announced its intention to participate in international local governments programmes as well as its interest in attending the Commonwealth of Local Governments Biannual Conference in Luanda in 2022.

It added the NEC would visit other African countries like Rwanda for skill and knowledge transfer and Morocco for a second time aimed at consolidating the gains of its last visit so as to reposition ALGON for the future.

“The NEC, the fourth in the series, held in Zones across the country, took place in Lagos on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, 2021, with the following unanimous and far-reaching resolutions.

“The NEC appreciates how its meetings have organically increased unity, peace, progress and shared diversity in the Association under the present Leadership of Hon Alabi Kolade David.

“Previous NEC meetings were held in the South South (Delta State), North West (Kano State), South East (Enugu State) and now South West (Lagos State).

“The NEC in the meeting elected and swore in a new Deputy National President of the Association, in the person of Hon. Aminu Maifata Muazu from Nasarawa state. Until his election, he was the National Treasurer of ALGON.

“The new National Treasurer elected and sworn in is the ALGON Kano State Chairman Hon. Mohammed Bappa of Takai LGA.

“The NEC also ratified the appointment of Hon. Victor Ebonka, ALGON Delta State Chairman as substantive National Legal Adviser; a position hitherto he held previously in acting capacity,’’ the communiqué said.

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Stick to Your Constitutional Function of Lawmaking, NBA Advises Bauchi Assembly

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has advised the State House of Assembly to stick to its constitutional function of legislation and law making in line with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, which provided for separation of power.

The NBA was reacting to a recent resolution of the House on the promotion of some judicial officers to the position of upper and lower Sharia court judges.

Addressing a press conference on the issue at the NUJ Press Center, the State Chairman of the NBA, Mr. Jibrin S. Jibrin, said: “We are, however, under obligation as lawyers to draw attention to the fact that the impact of the said Sections 202 of the Constitution (supra), 19 and 20 of the Bauchi State J.S.C Law (supra) and other extant laws and regulations does not allow for the interference of the Honorable House on the issue in reference in the manner it sought to do.

“We have formally communicated to the Bauchi State House Assembly through the Speaker whereon we drew its attention to the provisions of Section 202 of the 1999 Constitution FRN (amended) along with Sections 19 and 20 of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Committee Law cap 75 Laws of Bauchi State 2006 in the context of the legal implication of the position of the House calling for the halting of the promotion exercise as done by J.S.C as well as the subsequent invitation of the concerned officials.”

He added that “we appreciate the interest, concern and commitment of the Honorable House on the issue especially the fact that justice be done to all concerned including the need to reflect geo-graphical balancing in exercise of this nature.”

The NBA chairman stressed that “we are engaging the concerned authorities on the issues arising out of the exercise with a view to seeing to it that justice is done to all and laid down criteria, rules and regulations guiding such exercise are followed to the letter.

“We remain open to deepening the synergy, co-operation and collaboration between the bar and the arms of government in the sate towards ensuring that the interest of just prevails at all times.”

The NBA boss emphasised that “as the leaders of the bar in Bauchi State, we are addressing you this afternoon regarding issues arising out of the position of the Bauchi State House of Assembly regarding the recent promotion exercise involving judges of Lower Shari’ah Courts as carried out by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in Bauchi State.”

According to the NBA, “being a major stakeholder in the justice sector and as avowed advocate of the rule of law, justice, equity and proper conduct, we are concerned that the relevant legal issue raised by the position of the legislative arm of the government in the state particularly, the manner of their intervention or involvement in this matter be addressed.”

He said that “the idea is that we have a duty to ensure that the spirit and letter of the law, especially the 1999 constitution as the grund norm is respected by all persons and authorities within and outside the state and of course the country”

He further added that “now having this background in mind, we have keenly monitored the developments pertaining to the said promotion exercise and as a body whose stake in issue bordering on the justice sector as the JSC constitutionally sanctioned; we have thoroughly reviewed the developments.”

It would be recalled that the House of Assembly during one of its plenary, resolved to halt the promotion of some judicial officers to upper and lower Sharia court judges in the state saying that the exercise was lopsided.