PROTOCOL;
Today marks another milestone in the annals of the history of the Nigeria Police Force. The commissioning of the Police Finance House is the outcome of a journey that started some thirty-five (35) years ago. In June 1981, arising from the necessity for the Force to take ownership in the preparation, defence and utilization of its financial resources, the Nigeria Police Budget Unit was established under the headship of Retired DIG Parry Osayande, NPM, CON, the former Chairman of Police Service Commission who was then a Commissioner of Police.
2. Despite the establishment of the Police Budget Unit, the Nigeria Police Force did not enjoy the Self-Accounting status like its counterparts in the Nigerian Armed Forces and even the Para-Military services. This structure was considered inimical to accessing funds required for operational and administrative exigencies, taking into consideration the peculiarities of the Force.
3. Arising from the above, the Nigeria Police Force was granted a Self-Accounting status in January 2014, by which the Inspector-general of Police becomes the Chief Accounting Officer.
4. The commissioning of the Nigeria Police Finance building you are witnessing today is part of the ongoing restructuring of the Nigeria Police Budget and Accounting System to key into the financial reforms in the public sector. In this regard therefore, the Police Management has upgraded the Office of the Commissioner of Police, (Budget) to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, (Police Accounts and Budget). An organogram to meet this new structure has already been approved.
5. In addition, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has posted Directors of Finance and Accounts and Internal Audit to work alongside with the Police Finance Officers. The commissioning of this edifice is meant to provide conducive working environment for our Finance Officers including the Civilian components that are scattered in various locations as a result of inadequate office accommodation. The construction of this building is part of steps to fully actualize the Self-Accounting status.
In recognition of the fact that modern accounting and financial processes are electronic-driven, state-of-the-art ICT infrastructure are being provided as part of this facility, to ease integration into the various payment platforms of the Federal Government.
6. The Force is not oblivious of the fact that training and re-training of our officers is a prerequisite for professionalism. It is in realization of this that the Force has encouraged our personnel to become members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). Today I can proudly say that the Force has produced many Chartered and Certified Accountants most of whom have been deployed to the Nigeria Police Accounts and Budget Unit as part of initiatives to professionalise the Unit.
7. Let me at this juncture note and appreciate the contributions of the Nigeria Army Finance Corps which collaborated with our Finance Officers to develop the newly approved organogram and also for the training of our personnel in the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration. I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Federal Government, Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation for all their supports thus far. I want to request for their continued support in our effort to elevate our Finance Corps to meet national and global standards.
8. Finally, I must recognize and commend AIG Abdul Salami Iyaji, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Nigeria Police Accounts and Budget Section for his ability to lead his team of highly knowledgeable and dedicated officers towards aiding the Force leadership in achieving this giant stride. I must, however, challenge you and your team to emplace a sustainable maintenance culture that will keep this edifice as befitting and attractive as possible.
9. I also admonish you and your team to sustain and advance the professional ethos which has now become their trademark in the discharge of their schedules. These, my fellow colleagues, are the only ways to justify the high expectation which the Force leadership and indeed, the watching nation will be demanding of you in your dual professional roles as Police Officers and Accountants.
10. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for being part of this historic event and may God bless you all.
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