Nigeria Assures Improved Welfare Package For Paramilitary Personnel
KEMI OMONIYI
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has assured paramilitary personnel of the government’s readiness to fulfill its commitment towards facilitating complimentary compensations for their sacrifices as security officers.
Tunji-Ojo gave the assurance in Abuja during the launch of a new uniform for men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Commending the initiative of the NSCDC boss, the Minister noted that the new uniform would give NSCDC officers “a sense of pride amongst their contemporaries within the security circle.”
On plans by the federal government to rejig and improve the service, the Minister noted that reforms were underway to enhance the welfare packages of paramilitary personnel.
As part of the key reforms anticipated, the Minister explained that the government had constituted a committee to map out un-influenced promotion of personnel as well as draw out a pension board that can take care of officers after their retirement from the service.
He said: “As a government, we are putting in all that we can to ensure that we provide and support our agencies with the right materials, and of course the right knowledge that is needed to deliver.
“We will continue to support you. We will continue to work on the welfare and training of our officers because it is paramount. And, of course, we will continue to invest in you because we know that the dividend of our investment is enhanced security.”
While assuring paramilitary personnel of the President’s regards for their welfare, he once again acknowledged their sacrifices to defend the nation against deviants.
“Be rest assured of my support. Be rest assured of the support of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Be rest assured that your sacrifices are not in vain. We appreciate your sleepless nights because your lack of sleep is the enabler of our sleep.
Speaking on rolling out promotion and government’s quest to abolish career stagnation amongst other issues, the Minister said that works are in top gear to see officers get promoted without influence or circumventing the process.
“We are working on the promotion exercise of personnel of all our paramilitary agencies, and in a couple of weeks, it will be out. We are doing this to bring the era of career stagnation to an end. People should enter the service with the anticipation that one day he/she can become the Comptroller General or Commandant General, as the case may be. People should be able to earn their promotion and at when due without knowing anybody.
“We are working on your peculiar allowance, and you can be assured of getting your entitlement soon. We are also working on the review of your salary. As a board, we are working with the salaries and wages commission to ensure the upward review of the salaries of our paramilitary officers.
“We are working on the establishment of a paramilitary pension board so that in service and in retirement our men can know that there is assurance of good life.”
While presenting the new set of camouflaged uniform to the Minister, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi Abubakar, expresses excitement over the assurance of the minister to boost the morale of officers through befitting welfare packages.
