The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police yesterday, Thursday, September 21st received a delegation from the Human and Environmental Developmental Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, led by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju. HEDA is a prominent Nigerian Organisation committed to promoting good governance, combating corruption and advocating for Environmental justice.
Dr. Arase while receiving his visitors reflected on the journey so far since he assumed office in the Commission.
He said he was used to giving orders as Inspector General of Police but noted that it was no more the practice as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, a civilian oversight body constitutionally empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons in the Nigeria Police Force except the Inspector General of Police.
Dr. Arase said;” now I find myself in a situation where I have to mediate and arbitrate between two different and sometimes opposing views and where the parties insist their positions are right”.
He said it has been an interesting experience for him but noted that he is committed to taking the Commission to the next level.
For a start, he disclosed that he has been able to move the Commission to its Corporate office in Jabi, Abuja after twelve years of stalemate in the construction of the new Office.
The PSC Chairman said he is now committed to ensuring that there are several citizen interactions with law enforcement agencies with the ultimate goal of providing good governance.
He promised to work for a good condition of service for the Staff of the Commission and Officers and Men of the Force noting that the failure to have an effective Police Service has led to the proliferation of security agencies.
Dr. Arase also assured his visitors that pre-trial detention would soon be looked into and possibly phased out as well as Police going into civil matters. ” I believe that this should be the new conversation although I don’t believe that all policemen are bad. There are few we still need to win to our side and it will be through training ” he explained.
He Promised that the Commission will partner with HEDA in organising Zonal training which will be replicated in the states. ” I have not lost hope, security sector Reforms is not a sprint and I know it will happen; we will partner and work with you” ” he assured his guests.
The Chairman of HEDA, Suraju had come to intimate the PSC Chairman on its Policy briefs published and addressed to different layers of government in Nigeria.
They include; Corruption Crackdown; a call to action for anti-corruption agencies and other law enforcement agencies; Power and Justice; leading the onslaught against corruption; Guardians of Justice; and judicial power in the fight against corruption.
