Today marks another milestone in the annals
of the history of the Nigeria Police Force. The commissioning of the Police
Finance House is the outcome of a journey that started some thirty-five (35)
years ago.
In June 1981, arising from the necessity for the Force to take
ownership in the preparation, defence and utilization of its financial
resources, the Nigeria Police Budget Unit was established under the headship of
Retired DIG Parry Osayande, NPM, CON, the former Chairman of Police Service Commission
who was then a Commissioner of Police.
2. Despite the
establishment of the Police Budget Unit, the Nigeria Police Force did not enjoy
the Self-Accounting status like its counterparts in the Nigerian Armed Forces
and even the Para-Military services. This structure was considered inimical to
accessing funds required for operational and administrative exigencies, taking
into consideration the peculiarities of the Force.
3. Arising from the
above, the Nigeria Police Force was granted a Self-Accounting status in January
2014, by which the Inspector-general of Police becomes the Chief Accounting
Officer.
4. The commissioning
of the Nigeria Police Finance building you are witnessing today is part of the
ongoing restructuring of the Nigeria Police Budget and Accounting System to key
into the financial reforms in the public sector. In this regard therefore, the
Police Management has upgraded the Office of the Commissioner of Police, (Budget)
to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, (Police Accounts and Budget).An
organogram to meet this new structure has already been approved.
5. In addition, the
Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has posted Directors of
Finance and Accounts and Internal Audit to work alongside with the Police
Finance Officers. The commissioning of this edifice is meant to provide
conducive working environment for our Finance Officers including the Civilian
components that are scattered in various locations as a result of inadequate
office accommodation.The construction of this building is part of steps to
fully actualize the Self-Accounting status.
In recognition of the fact that modern accounting and financial
processes are electronic-driven, state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure are being
providedas part of this facility, to ease integration into the various payment
platforms of the Federal Government.
6. The Force is not
oblivious of the fact that training and re-training of our officers is a
prerequisite for professionalism. It is in realization of this that the Force
has encouraged our personnel to become members of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of National Accountants of
Nigeria (ANAN). Today I can proudly say that the Force has produced many
Chartered and Certified Accountants most of whom have been deployed to the
Nigeria Police Accounts and Budget Unit as part of initiatives to
professionalise the Unit.
7. Let me at this
juncture note and appreciate the contributions of the Nigeria Army Finance
Corps which collaborated with our Finance Officers to develop the newly
approved organogram and also for the training of our personnel in the Nigerian
Army School of Finance and Administration. I also wish to extend my
appreciation to the Federal Government, Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General
of the Federation and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the
Federation for all their supports thus far. I want to request for their
continued support in our effort to elevate our Finance Corps to meet national
and global standards.
8. Finally, I must
recognize and commend AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji, the Assistant Inspector-General
of Police in-charge of Nigeria Police Accounts and Budget Section for his
ability to lead his team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated officers towards
aiding the Force leadership in achieving this giant stride. I must, however,
challenge you and your team to emplace a sustainable maintenance culture that
will keep this edifice as befitting and attractive as possible.
9. I also admonish you and your team
to sustain and advance the professional ethos which has now become their
trademark in the discharge of their schedules. These, my fellow colleagues, are
the only ways to justify the high expectation which the Force leadership and
indeed, the watching nation will be demanding of you in your dual professional
roles as Police Officers and Accountants.
10. Distinguished ladies and
gentlemen, I thank you all for being part of this historic event and may God
bless you all.
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