The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has clarified that the oversight functions of the National Assembly help to promote transparency and accountability in the operations of the federal government’s ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs.
Gaidam, who spoke while receiving the House of Representative Committee on Police Affairs led by its chairman, Abubakar Makki Yalleman, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, said that by shining a light on the activities of MDAs, the National Assembly helps to build public trust in the government and ensures that decisions are made in the best interests of the Nigerian people.
“By holding MDAs accountable, conducting thorough investigations, and making recommendations for improvement, the National Assembly helps to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in government operations,” he stressed.
According to a statement issued by Bolaji Kazxeem, the Deputy Director of Press in the Ministry of Police Affairs, Gaidam disclosed that the ministry has embarked upon various reforms to enhance the professionalism, efficiency, and accountability of law enforcement agencies.
He listed the measures to include training and capacity-building initiatives, the implementation of community policing programmes, and the deployment of modern technology to support law enforcement operations.
The minister, who was a former governor of Yobe State and a senator, added that the objective of the reform is to eliminate corruption and misconduct and build a police force that is respected and admired.
“We will implement robust systems to ensure that cases of misconduct and corruption are promptly and transparently addressed.
“Your presence here today signifies a crucial step towards fostering a harmonious working relationship between your esteemed committee and our ministry, as we collectively strive towards the noble goal of effectively policing our great nation,” he added.
According to him, the approved capital budget of the ministry for 2023 stood at N503,288,878, out of which N478,362,818.77 has so far been utilised for the year, indicating 95.05 per cent performance.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the ministry’s efforts are geared towards a technologically driven police force that will enable them to tackle the security challenges in the country.
She added that the ministry is working towards consolidating various previous reforms into one and urged for the support of the National Assembly to actualise the reforms and bridge both policies, infrastructure, and welfare gaps identified.
Earlier, the chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman, appreciated the ministry’s management for their cooperation and collaboration that would enable them to tackle security challenges in the country.
According to him: “The executive and legislature must work together for the good of the citizens, and for any institutional funding, human capacity, or material gaps that are identified, we will provide the necessary legislative frameworks to address them.”
NASS oversights promote transparency, accountability in MDAs – Minister
