Buhari Directs Commission To Expedite New Police Salary Structure

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that he has directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to expedite action on the finalization of new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. He added that the emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

President Buhari said this while addressing the nation on the federal government’s reactions to youths’ demands on the ongoing nationwide protests tagged #EndSARS.

“With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards,” Buhari said.

He also pointed out that government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.

According to him, “these included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years, and the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is: paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises, paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans, and guaranteeing market for the products of traders.”

Buhari therefore appealed to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of his administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

He noted that no Nigerian government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done, stressing that in order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, his administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

He cited that his administration’s deeds and words have shown how committed it has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Buhari urged Nigerians to remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

“We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement,” he stressed.