Insecurity: Pass Peace Corps Bill Now – GICN Appeals To NASS
BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – A pro-democracy anti-corruption and justice sector Civil Society Organisation on the aegis of “Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN)”, has called on the National Assembly to as a matter of national importance, pass the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) Bill, pending before the two legislative chambers.
President of GICN, Mr Edward Ejembi Omaga, who made the call, said that the passage of the bill has become necessary particularly against the backdrop of insecurity in the country.
Omaga noted that the high level of insecurity in the sub-regions of the country characterised by kidnappings, wanton destruction of property and killing of innocent citizens with reckless abandon was due to lack of enough man power on the part of security agencies.
He said that upon its passage and subsequent assent by the President, the Nigerian Peace Corps would go a long way to complement the efforts of other existing security agencies for better results.
Omega said that all over the world, security is evolving just as the society evolves, adding that with the alarming unemployment and the high rate of poverty in the land, which has also complicated the security situation in the country, something drastic needs to be done to arrest the situation.
The president of GICN said the core objective of the reintroduced bill which has passed first and second readings in the Senate is to also “develop, empower and provide gainful employment for the youth, facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services, neighbourhood watch, nation-building and related matters.
Omega said; “We find it very unfortunate and ridiculous that today, a government which declined assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) Bill passed by the National Assembly in 2018, citing basically, paucity of funds to run the proposed agency is spending millions of naira to compensate and negotiate with terrorists and bandits who have continued to maim innocent citizens without any iota of regard for the sanctity of life.
