... as IGP Alkali assures Officers of commitment to welfare
By Odey Lukpata.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has commenced the distribution of cheques to over Seven Thousand (7000) disabled, permanently injured, and next of kin of deceased officers who died in active service to cover up the group life and group personal accident insurance scheme. The payment which covers officers of the above category from 2012 to 2020 amounts to over Thirteen Billion Naira (N13,000,000,000) only.
This historical event marks the commencement of the distribution of cheques to cover Insurance benefits of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty as well as those who suffered various degrees or forms of life-threatening injuries while on active duty.
The IGP during the presentation of the cheques at Force Headquarters said that “these backlog payments were made possible through the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Force Management’s passionate drive to ensure that Police Officers are adequately catered for in the event of injury or permanent disability due to the risks associated with policing and that families of deceased police officers are adequately catered for in the absence of their breadwinners.”
In his words, ” It should be noted, that the Group Life Assurance Scheme which was introduced as a result of the Pension Reform Act 2004 and amended in 2014 and the Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme are welfare packages fully funded by the Federal Government for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. However, due to paucity of funds, the Federal Government could not fund the schemes successfully and this created gaps which led to a backlog of unpaid insurance claims from 2012 to 2020.”
”On my assumption in office in April 2021, my attention was drawn to this development. Consequently, an urgent representation was made to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari requesting for the release of funds to enable us pay all outstanding claims to the families of deceased Police Officers.”
”It was with great relief that Mr. President appreciated my representation and graciously approved the release of the sum of thirteen billion, six hundred and twenty-eight million, five hundred and thirty-five thousand, five hundred and eighty Naira (13,628,535,580.00k) to pay the backlog of a total of six thousand one hundred and eighty-four (6,184) personnel that had previously fallen under the uninsured/uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, covering from the year 2012 – 2020.”
”It is in furtherance of this, following my approval that the Nigeria Police Force has incorporated the Nigeria Police Insurance Company. As soon as the practice license is granted, the company will be solely responsible for all insurance-related issues concerning the Force.,”
”It should be noted that the Nigeria Police institution is the single largest agency in this country for the purpose of insurance contributions, yet, we have not been maximizing this strength as it has been third-party insurance companies that have been responsible for processing our claims.
”With this initiative, we will be wholly responsible for our insurance needs and it is my conviction that this will ease the insurance processing of personnel.”
It could be recalled that in May 2021 while flagging off a 3-day workshop for Police Insurance Desk Officers organized to develop the capacity of dedicated officers drawn from the 36 State Commands, the Federal Capital Territory, and other Police Formations across the country, IGP Alkali presented cheques to families of 40 deceased police officers, who lost their lives in the line of duty, amounting to One Hundred and Eighty-Three Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-Seven Naira, Thirty-Two Kobo (N183,295,327.32).
The police boss while reiterating the value of human life and wholeness, emphasized that prompt payment of insurance and other benefits due to officers who have met with some misfortunes as a result of the risky nature of policing in our contemporary environment and unforeseen hazards of policing, would greatly boost their morale and ensure they put in their best in service to the nation.
The IGP equally promised better welfare packages for members of the police family either serving, retired, or slain in the line of duty, to cement the already existing esprit de corps amongst the components of the police family.
