Following it’s determination to tackling insecurity and creating conducive environment for socio-economic development in the State, Enugu state Government, Thursday, unveiled the launch of N20 Billion Enugu State Security Trust Fund (ESSTF) with an appeal to Public and Corporate organisations, individuals,, Non- Governmental Organizations, others to support the state government in fighting insecurity.
The Government also announced November 21,2024 as the date for the main launch of the trust fund , noting that the ESSTF is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) established in response to the need to improve security and infrastructure of Enugu state while while fostering development and prosperity for its residents.
Unveiling ESSTF to the media at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Ike Chioke, said the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah inaugurated the Board of Trustees to support his administration in fighting insecurity and creating enabling environment for development in the state .
He said the objective of the trust fund is to create a central security coordination point which will help to strengthen the State’s Security Infrastructure in combating the multifaceted issues of insecurity across the region.
In his presentation, the chairman of the Board , Dr. Chioke presented an overview of the security trust fund, the use of donations, structure of the security trust fund, and benefits.
On the overview, Chioke said,”the target is to raise N20 Billion in a unified effort to bolster security , infrastructure and safeguard communities. He added that the trust fund anticipates contributions of N10 billion from Corporate entities, N3 billion from the State Government, N3 billion from the Local Government, and N1.5 billion from individuals and other sources.
Pix- Dr. Chioke
According to him, the projects to be funded are personnel welfare, empowerment of the vigilante group, purchase of additional weaponry, CCTV system Architecture and street light system, publicity and fundraising, events , purchasing of security vehicles, and support to security agencies.
On the structure, he said members of the Board of Trustees included the General Officer Commanding ( GOC) 82 Division, State Director of Department of State Services ( DSS), the Clergy among others . They have 12- man committee and 3 Ad- Hoc members, “committed to learning, stewardship, transparency, reliability, engagement and excellence.
Beneficiaries of the ESSTF he said, are neighborhood watch group, forest guard, Enugu Police command, Enugu special/ vigilant Corps, Airport police, the Army, Nigerian Customs, and others.
The Board chairman said they have Fund trustee, fund Auditor, Finance and Fundraising committee, Asset management and Governance, committee, technical committee, and fund raising Arranger, . He assured that there will be accountability, public engagement, fund auditing, digital presence and call center for people to send information.
Pix- SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia
On donations, Dr. Chioke said , ” in 2024 ,we anticipate that the prospective donor would contribute up to five billion niara, adding that they will engage all stakeholders on supporting ESSTF by making regular contributions.
He disclosed that the .State government ‘s contribution( FAAC and IGR) is N625 Million per month, Local Government ‘s monthly contribution N5 Million each,, ,Banks’ monthly contribution, N1 Million each, , Corporate Bodies N20,000-N100,000, SMEs N1,00-N10,000.
A website for remittance by individuals was unveiled, thus, www.ESSTF.ng. Chioke announced that there will be awards for donors ranging from Bronze ,silver, gold ,diamond .and Donor Certificates will be issued to the awardees and Certificate of Recognition will be issued to individual who are in the .Bronze ,silver, gold ,diamond or Platinum category.
The Chairman of the Board said the benefits of the ESSTF are more tourism, more investment, civic pride, economic benefit and engagement.
Pix-: Prof Onyia,SSG
In his speech, the State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah said” the entire country is witnessing multifaceted security issues,”, hence the need for the establishment of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund to help fight the ugly trend in the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah urged State Government , Local Governments , individuals, Corporate entities, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) Non- Governmental Organizations ( NGOs) and other stakeholders to support the ESSTF
Author- Maureen Ikpeama