Lagos Assembly lauds governor for raising death benefits of policemen

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday lauded Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for raising death benefits for police officers to N10 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode on Monday announced an increment in the benefits for police officers who die in active service in the state to N10 million.

The governor raised the benefits from N1 million for rank and file, and N2 million for senior officers, saying that his administration would stop at nothing to ensure the safety of all residents.

The Spokesman for the House, Tunde Braimoh, told NAN that the gesture would increase commitment of policemen and officers and consequently improve security in the state.

Braimoh, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, said: “It is another epoch-making trail blazer.

“This gesture of the pragmatic Governor of Lagos, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is unprecedented, unparalleled and unsurpassed in the history of public service in Nigeria.

“When policemen are slain in their encounter with men of the underworld, we wear long faces and make emotive dirges without walking our talks.

“The woes of the dependents left behind by such officers are exacerbated by economic drought and despondency.

“No doubt, there is no sum of money that equals any life, but then, when things come to compensation, it is only meaningful if it is adequate, sufficient and has the desired effect,’’ he said.

The legislator noted that the clamour for the insurance scheme had been on for long.

Braimoh (APC-Kosofe ll) urged the police to live up to the expectations of the government and people of the state.

“It is hoped that officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos will appreciate and reciprocate this non-cosmetic, considerate and compassionate approach to governance.’’

NAN reports that the governor made the announcement after he was presented with two awards recently won in South Africa by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

Ambode, who had said that security and safety of the people remained one of the focal objectives of his administration, added that the government would continually embrace measures to motivate officers to be diligent.