Nigeria is progressing toward implementing state policing, a move advocated by the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Dennis Guwor.
On Monday, Guwor expressed his support for this initiative during an interview with journalists in Asaba.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Guwor emphasized the importance of state policing, arguing that “the locals understand the security situation of their environment.”
He called for the necessary legislative amendments to empower states to develop their own policing structures.
In addition to his role as Speaker, Guwor also serves as the national treasurer of the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. He noted that the conference has recently endorsed state policing as a vital step forward.
”By the grace of God, I think the present National Assembly is very serious in terms of state policing issues,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about potential misuse of state police by governors, he added, “One of the fears people have about state policing is that they think the state governors will arbitrarily control the state police. But I think there is no need to fear whether the governors will control the state police against perceived political opponents.”
Guwor drew comparisons to Western nations, such as the United States, which have both state and federal police forces with clearly defined roles. He explained that the speakers had been in discussions with the National Assembly to ensure a harmonious relationship between federal and state police forces.
”By the time it is passed, it will come to our own vetting at state houses of assembly, where 24 Houses of Assembly will adopt whatever amendment that was carried out by the National Assembly and pass it,” Guwor said.
He highlighted the efforts at the Conference of Speakers to build consensus and support for state policing.
In addition to addressing policing, Guwor also spoke about the recent hike in electricity tariffs, linking it to the broader economic impact of high inflation. He suggested that the policy review was aimed at better serving the public’s needs.
”What I feel is that the federal government is increasing the tariff to enable it to meet the expectations of Nigerians,” he said.
Despite this, he assured that the state government would take necessary measures to alleviate the burden on residents.
