The Protest by some Police Constabularies in a mischievous video at the Weekend over an alleged non-payment of their Salaries by the Kwara State Government is to say the least a very cheap attempt to blackmail Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
It is important to clarify that these men registered about 15 months ago as are volunteer constabulary similar to the volunteer Special Road Marshals of the Federal Roads Safety Corps. The volunteer constabulary are to compliment and support Community Policing efforts of the Nigeria Police by monitoring their local communities for intelligence gathering.
Constabularies are not prevented from having their regular jobs hence they are not on Salaries like the men of the regular Nigeria Police Force. These conditions were made known to them at the point of their registration In the words of the Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tuesday Assayomo: “It is important to state that the concept of community policing and recruitment of special constabularies is voluntary in nature, meaning they are not on monthly renumeration like the conventional policemen. This much the constabularies were briefed before taken up the job, besides, the job is not full time job”.
It is important to state that prior to the protest by the Police Constabularies, officials of the State Government had met with them on how the state government can assist those qualify for employment into regular police whenever there is a recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Police Force.
The officials also advised those who are no longer interested in volunteering to disengage from the service.
It is therefore appalling to read negative comments against the State Government and the thoughtless statement of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party demanding payment of Salaries of the Police Constabularies.
This is a party that could not pay 18,000 Naira minimum wage while in power and failed to pay Salaries of Civil Servants for up to two years and when they eventually paid, they paid in bits known in local parlance as Geri-Gedi.
The shameful desperation of PDP to return to power by inciting the public against genuine and successful State Govt initiatives to maintain peace and security in the state is condemnable.
Kwarans who appreciate the Good works of Governor AbdulRazaq are enjoined to ignore the lies and Propaganda of enemies of the state and the PDP who dabble into every issue in their attempt to return to power and continue the looting of our common patrimony.
Signed:
Alhaji Folaranmi Aro
Kwara State APC Publicity Secretary
