Corruption may scuttle implementation of Police Trust Fund Bill – Stakeholders

Stakeholders have identified corruption as a major challenge that may hinder the successful implementation of the Police Trust Fund Bill.

They have also advised the Federal Government to be mindful of pitfalls that have characterised such trusts, and other development funds in the past.

One of the speakers at a two-day dialogue on police trust fund accountability and transparency in Abuja, the Chief of staff to the Deputy Senate President (DSP), Dr. Otive Igbuzor said: “One area that I see a lot of challenges in the implementation of the law, but which the Nigeria Police Force must rise up to, is in the area of electronic fraud.

“As authorities all over the world fight criminals in this direction, so do they take advantage of the ever-dynamic technology in wire transactions and other related electronic transactions.”

According to him, the police have a chance to stay a step ahead of criminals, through the Fund, and administrators of the fund must, therefore, ensure they maintain integrity, sustain the hope of the Force and serve the ultimate interest of the people.

Represented by a legislative aid to the DSP, Ovoke Ighorodje, Igbuzor stressed the need for Nigeria to make transparency and accountability her watchword, and also instill the values that the present government represents such as due process, diligence, and integrity.

Executive Director, Cleen Foundation, Dr. Benson Olugbuo, stressed the need for the Board to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the Fund so as to achieve the aim of setting it up.