The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees advocates for a policing paradigm shift, with local governments at the forefront of security innovation and development in Nigeria.
The union made this statement while advocating for the granting of full autonomy to local governments.
Mr. Ambali Olatunji, the NULGE National President, stressed in Lagos on Saturday that local government autonomy is vital for Nigeria’s economic expansion and security, as it will substantially increase the country’s GDP and tackle insecurity.
Olatunji spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
Olatunji said: “We must make local governments financially, administratively and politically autonomous.
“We must consider community policing so that there must be guarding at the community level.
“Our policing policy should not be reactionary, but pre-emptive to be able to address insecurity.
“Our opinion is that the local government must be the platform for policing evolution in Nigeria.”
The labour leader further called on the Federal Government to create a policy addressing unemployment at the local government level.
He advocated for the re-establishment and revitalization of local governments’ vocational skills acquisition departments to empower individuals with marketable skills.
This initiative would target women and youths in rural communities, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to become self-reliant and contribute to the local economy.
“The vocational skills acquisition department across local governments has been erased systematically, over time.
“This level of government should be given adequate attention to address the needs of those in the rural settings.
“It will go a long way to improve livelihoods and ensure a better Nigeria for everyone,“ Olatunji said.
NAN
