The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to provide for the establishment of state police services.
The approval followed a request by the National Assembly for state legislatures to consider the proposed amendment as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
The Speaker, Mr Dennis Guwor, during plenary, read the National Assembly’s letter outlining the objectives of the proposed Sixth Alteration Bill.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill seeks to establish state police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service.
Leading the debate, the Majority Leader, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, said the proposed amendment would strengthen the protection of lives and property through a dual policing system.
Nwaobi said the arrangement would enable state governments to establish and fund their own police services to address security challenges.
He said state policing would particularly help tackle local security threats through prompt intervention and effective intelligence gathering.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the proposal, describing state police as a significant step toward strengthening the country’s security architecture.
They said the arrangement would improve local intelligence gathering, ensure faster responses to security threats, create employment opportunities and enhance efforts to combat insecurity at the community level.
The bill received unanimous support, with 23 lawmakers voting in favour of the proposed constitutional amendment.
In his remarks, Guwor commended the lawmakers for their support, saying the proposal would strengthen grassroots policing and improve security across the state.
He said improved security would boost investors’ confidence and promote economic growth and development in line with the state government’s MORE Agenda.
Guwor directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the assembly’s resolution to the national assembly for further legislative action.
Meanwhile, the Speaker appointed the member, representing Udu Constituency, Mr Ator Okolosi, as Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Investment.
Okolosi was also appointed Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Special Duties, alongside membership of several other committees.
Earlier, the lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of former Delta governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who died on Monday, Oct. 19.
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