Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on
Monday launched the rebranded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, with a pledge
that the security of lives and property in the State is now non-negotiable.
A total of 177 Salon Cars and Vehicles equipped
with necessary communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000
bicycles, metal detectors for ensuring that illegal weapons are not smuggled
into public places, among other operational equipment were handed over to the
Corps by the Governor.
Speaking at the official launch held at Agege
Stadium, Governor Ambode said the move was another giant step towards enhancing
security all over the State and a vital part of the ongoing efforts of his
administration to reform the security and justice sector.
The Governor, who on August 15, 2016 assented to
the law that created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, said the Corps had been
designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that the
State and communities are more secure.
He acknowledged the fact that the Nigerian Police
had been very supportive to the State Government especially in fighting crime,
but that the need for the Neighbourhood Corps arose from the identified
security challenges confronting the State due to huge population, adding that the
members of the Corps would complement police especially in areas of community
policing.
“Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that
the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the
regular Police Force.
“In actual fact, they are expected to assist and
complement the Police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and
to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in our
communities,” Governor Ambode said.
He added that in realization of the fact that
nothing can be more important in law enforcement than educating the people in
charge of enforcing the law, the rebranded Neighbourhood Corps have been
trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to complement the
good work of the Nigerian Police.
He said in addition to the induction on orthodox
community policing techniques, the Corps were also trained on how to mediate
disputes and the art of negotiating for peaceful resolution; balancing communal
interest in resolving disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of
reactive policing.
“Special hotlines have also been created direct to
the Executive Secretary and senior management of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps
Agency for easy communication with our communities in the event of any crime.
“Any valuable information given to the Corps will
attract handsome rewards from the State Government. I therefore call on all
Lagosians to join hands with us to say a final NO to crime in our State.
“All these equipment have been made possible through
the judicious use of tax payers money and funds from the State Lottery Fund for
good causes. Please continue to pay your taxes for a better Lagos.
“I am very happy to state that through this Safety
Corps initiative the State Government has created over 7,000 jobs for officers
of the Corps, artisans and other support staff. Job creation is at the heart of
economic prosperity and we remain fully committed to a more prosperous Lagos
for our citizens,” the Governor said.
The Governor, however, charged the Corps not to
indulge in brutalizing citizens, but that they should exercise lot of
restraint, patience, understanding and maturity while carrying out their
duties.
Besides, the Governor said in order to further
strengthen security, a new executive bill to regulate employment of domestic
workers and security guards would soon be forwarded to the State House of
Assembly, explaining that the bill, among others, will prescribe regulations
for the set of workers and other details to monitor their activities.
While noting that there is no longer any room for
child abuse or under aged workers, Governor Ambode said it had been discovered
that domestic workers were largely undocumented and pose a grave security
threat in the State.
He also said the recruiting agencies, under the
bill, would be licensed and regulated to ensure safety.
The Governor also handed over four vans fitted
with Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS)
of the State Police Command.
Earlier, Commissioner for Special Duties and
Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo said the launch of the
Neighbourhood Corps and the handing over of several equipment to the agency was
an eloquent testimony of a visionary government which had decided to move ahead
of emerging challenges of crime.
Tags
Society