YENAGOA — THE police authorities in Bayelsa State yesterday presented a motorcycle each to 90 members of the rank and file in the state as part of efforts to boost morale.
Making the presentation at the State Police Command headquarters in Yenagoa, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Oliver Osuchukwu described the gesture as unparalleled in the history of the force stressing that it was part of the Inspector-General's eight-point programme aimed at improving the welfare of the members of the force.
Osuchukwu who noted that the exercise would be a continuous one said the motorcycles would not only aid the movement of policemen but also enhance their performance in crime fighting.
He described the beneficiaries as mostly officers of Inspector cadre as well as the rank and file who formed the core of the police force and are actually doing their job at the grassroot.
His words: "what we are seeing is a well-thought-out programme initiated by the Inspector-General of Police in conjunction with a police friendly private establishment Antera Nigeria Ltd. The IG has a functional eight-point pragramme one of which is the welfare of the members of the force.”
According to him, there was no favouritism in the exercise as it was given to officers who filled forms with payment to be made instalmentally thereby easing pressure on the meagre salary of the beneficiaries.
The state police boss added that all officers interested in the scheme would be given the opportunity to own a motorcycle.
Describing the welfare scheme as the best ever in the history of the Police force, Osuchukwu said, "some of the policemen who are vulnerable to corruption can see other human beings ridding motorcycles and they might be tempted to have one, which their meagre salary cannot afford and the end result would be to engage in sharp practices.”
He charged the beneficiaries and other officers and men of the force to remain dedicated stressing that the force would continue to reward its members who are committed to duties.
Meanwhile the Bayelsa State government has concluded plans to deploy its anti-sea piracy outfit, Bayelsa Volunteers in the capital city to complement the effort of the police in combating the threat of cult groups.
The peace of the capital city was early this month shattered by suspected cultists.
