The House of Representative Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), has called for improved funding of the Nigeria Police Force to enable it to discharge its constitutional duties effectively.

The committee’s chairman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

Mr Ugochinyere in his remarks on the essence of the visit, said it was purposeful, strategic, and historic, adding that Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector was the lifeblood of the nation’s economy.

According to him, every litre of petrol delivered to a rural community, tanker secured on our highways, depot protected from sabotage, translates directly into economic stability, social order, and national confidence.

“At the heart of this stability stands the Nigeria Police Force. So let me commend your leadership,” said Mr Ugochinyere. “The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), stands ready to support the Nigeria Police Force.”

The lawmaker also said it was time to remind those in the leadership positions in the country  that the sooner the police was properly funded, the better for the nation’s security.

“A well-funded Nigeria Police Force is for the benefit of all and as members of the committee, we are committed to advocating for improved operational funding for the force,” he said.

He added that the committee would work to strengthen the legal framework for infrastructure protection and facilitate interagency cooperation.

Mr Ugochinyere further called for the establishment of a special petroleum downstream desk within the force to strengthen the collaboration between the police and stakeholders in the downstream sector.

“To further strengthen police collaboration we stakeholders in the downstream sector respectfully propose the establishment of a special petroleum downstream desk within the Nigeria Police Force.

“The desk is to be headed by a designated liaison officer and will serve as a structural coordination point between the police, the regulators, the house committees, and key operators in the downstream sector.

“This unit is critical, bearing in mind that huge investments had flown into the downstream sector, such as gas plants, gas stations, refineries, petrol stations, and storage systems,” he said.

Mr Egbetokun commended the committee for the visit, saying that the recognition and appreciation of the efforts of the force was important.

He noted that the protection of critical national infrastructure, particularly within the petroleum sector, was a responsibility the force took with the utmost seriousness.

According to him, these assets are not mere installations, but vital arteries of national stability critical to energy and national security.

(NAN)