The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the Police to probe unpaid entitlements to relatives of more than 3,000 dead officers and men of the force.
This came by way of a motion by Rep. Oghene Egoh (PDP-Lagos) and it was unanimously adopted through a voice vote.
Egoh said that Police authorities' disclosure that the entitlements of over 3,00,0 personnel who died in active service over the years had not been paid to their relatives, called for urgent attention.
Egoh expressed concern that the dependent relatives of the deceased personnel had been unable to pay their rents and school fees for their children as a result of the nonpayment of the entitlements.
He expressed worry that the non payment of the entitlements also made it difficult for their relatives to feed and provide for other necessities of life in the face of the harsh economic situation in the country.
Egoh explained that the reason for the nonpayment of the entitlements was that the Insurance Companies were not paid premium to cover the police personnel.
In his contribution, Rep. Jones Onyereri (PDP-Imo), expressed displeasure over the treatment being meted to bereaved families of dead police personnel.
"I think this is most unfair, I believe that the committee on Police Affair should look into the police budget and ensure persons affected are adequately compensated," he said.
Other legislators highlighted the demoralising effects of nonpayment of entitlements of personnel who died in the line of duty on those still in active service.
The House therefore called on the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter with a view to ensuring the payment of the entitlements within the shortest possible time.
The House further mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to ensure implementation of the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative input.
0 comments: