As one of the measures put in place to boost security in the state, Enugu state Government will on February 13, launch a N20billion Enugu State Security Trust Fund( ESSTF) established by the state Governor,Dr. Peter Mbah on February 13,2024 , calling for support of the people of the state..
Chairman , Board of Trustees of ESSTF, Dr. Ike Chioke disclosed that on Thursday, during the ESSTF Stakeholders Engagement with the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and the 17 Local Government Chairmen respectively..
Pix: Lawmakers during the engagement at the Enugu State House of Assembly
In his presentation at the Enugu State House of Assembly,, and ALGON Secretariat , Enugu, respectively, Dr. Chioke said ESSTF was established in the previous administration but was not active.
He explained that Dr Peter Mbah administration re-established it on February 13,2024 with a 12- member committee led by himself. He said the Security Trust Fund was tasked with the responsibility of strengthening Enugu state’s security infrastructure.through proceeds from donations from the people of the state.
Pix: Local Government chairmen and the ESSTF team
Dr. Chioke said that the Security Trust Fund is a voluntary contributing structure aimed at mobilizing resources in cash and kind from both public and private corporate organizations, as well as well-meaning individuals, living in the country and abroad.
“The primary objective of ESSTF is to provide support to security agencies operating within the state by equipping them with the necessary crime-fighting equipment and resources,” he said..
The security agencies included the Forest Guard Agency Enugu State Vigilant Groups, Neighbourhood Watch Groups, Enugu State Police Command , among others. .
Dr. Chioke said the Enugu State Security Trust Fund is a financial vehicle for sourcing funds from private and public sector organizations, as well as individuals, to support security-related initiatives.
Pix: Lawmakers and the ESSTF team
He highlighted some of the programs ESSTF will embark on to include capacity building, investing in the professional development and skill enhancement of security personnel by allocating resources for training programs, facilitating the acquisition and deployment of modern security equipment and technology, such as surveillance cameras, communication systems, and forensic tools, to strengthen the security infrastructure in Enugu State.
The Chairman said ESSTF shall actively engage with communities, fostering partnerships, and promoting public participation in security matters through initiatives such as community policing and proposed neighbourhood watch programs.
On the use of proceeds for ESSTF, Dr Chioke said part of the money will be used for Procurement and maintenance of Operational Vehicles,bulletproof vest, procurement of life insurance policies for high-risk security operatives,
Others are Installation of security infrastructures at strategic locations; such as surveillance systems on major highways, intelligence gathering technology.Wage augmentation for critical security operatives within the state.
Dr. Chioke also said that they will use both kinetic and Non- kinetic approaches to deal with the issues of security.
Pix: Dr. Ike Chioke
The chairman disclosed that there will be a reward for donors, explaining that said there would be certification of donors ,ranging from Gold, silver, bronze, depending on the amount donated
Reacting to the presentation at the House of Assembly, the Lawmakers pledged support for the security Trust Fund project.
Pix: Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu ,who spoke on behalf of the Lawmakers, ,assured support of the Assembly members. He said they will take the sensitization to their constituents for them to understand the need to support the project.
On monitoring of the activities of the ESSTF, Rt. Hon. Ugwu said the House will monitor activities of the Trust Fund through its oversight functions.
The Lawmakers made some inputs which included the use of kinetic and non- kinetic approaches to the issue of security, youth empowerment, sensitization program, upward review of the salaries of Local security groups( neighborhood watch, Forest Guard, State Vigilant groups
Similarly , at the ALGON Secretariat, the Local Government Chairmen assured support for ESSTF. They urged the BoT to invest more in neighborhood watch groups because they are nearer to the people.
They also called for sensitization of the members of the public, especially those at the grassroot so that they will understand it and contribute to the Security Trust Fund.
Pix: ALGON chairman , Hon. Okechukwu Edeh
Speaking on behalf of the Local Government chairmen, the ALGON chairman , Hon Okechukwu Edeh assured support of the Local Government chairmen to the project. He thanked Governor Mbah for the good works he was doing in the state, especially in the are of security.
He promised that they will not take the Trust Fund for granted, noting that he knew what it takes to fight insecurity. Hon. Edeh, who is also the Local Government of Nkanu East Local Government Area, thanked the BoT members for their efforts towards provision of adequate security in the state. He said ALGON will take the project to heart. He said they will replicate it at the Local Government areas.
“We are more eager to do more security things in fighting insecurity for more efficiency.
“Be rest assured that what you requested would be fully granted by us”, Edeh said.
In his presentation on payment, the Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Chinedu Ani called on the people pf the state , public and private sectors ,organizations to donate to the Security Trust Fund through the website is www.ESSTF.ng. He said once payment is made, the donor will receive an acknowledgement in his or her e-mail.
Pix: HRH Igwe Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzo
In a brief remarks, former chairman Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzo urged the Local Government chairmen to do their best and make the launching a success. He said there were so many well to do people in the state and they should be invited. He observed that in the past many people contributed when they were pursuing the creation of Enugu state and records were not kept. He assured that the donors will be recognized by the government.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama