By Victoria Anietie
In a bid to rid Akwa Ibom State of criminals, Police has sort the corporation of the State House of Assembly to fight crime and enhance effective policing.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State command, Mr. Donald Awunah made the appeal when he led the management of the police to an interaction with the Speaker of the state assembly last Tuesday at the conference room of the State House, Udoudoma Avenue , Uyo.
Mr Awanah told the Speaker that he was in the Assembly Complex to solicit the assistance of the state legislature to fight crime in the state and noted that the police has adopted what he called "democratic police agenda" in the country.
The Police Commissioner further noted that as the representative of the people, the police would collaborate with the lawmakers to fight crime in the state.
"Why we members of the Police management team are here today is to pay respect and to solicit your assistance. We cannot police without the People's support.
"The legislative arms of government is the pillar of democracy. They represent the people and the policing we have today is people's oriented policing. We understand critical roles the legislature, plays to the benefit of the people.
Yes, police have Ak 47, they have vehicles; yes, they have crime bus stop, but we are here to seek the support of the people so that the people of Akwa Ibom can enjoy the support of the security", Awunah added.
In a remark, the Speaker of the 6th Assembly, Rt Hon. Barr Onofiok Luke while welcoming the CP and his team to the Assembly Complex, appreciated him for his kind words about the House and also appreciated the police for their efforts in combatting crime in the state and for being responsible in the issues that bother the people of the state.
The Speaker who is the Vice Chairman, South South Speaker lauded the concept of democratic policing which he said had helped in reducing the crime rates in the State.
He assured of the support of the House of Assembly in ensuring the successful domestication of the criminal justice act recently passed.
"We have enjoyed good policing by the police structure in the state. It is not the gun that does work. It is the men that handle the gun, and the men who do handle the gun understand how to use the gun.
I must commend the police because we have had reduced cases of accidental discharge. It used to be recurrent". Barr Luke, used the occasion to give police a strong backing in the area of fighting cultism no matter who was involved.
"We in the House of Assembly are giving you our strong backing in the area of fighting cultism to ensure you carry out the enforcement of that law no matter who is involved, whether a government official, whether he is the son of a big man, he must be made to face the wrath of the law", the Speaker emphasized.
The Speaker however decried congestion in prison occasioned by awaiting trial inmates and urged that such practice be stopped while promising to liaise with the judiciary and the police in the implementation of the administration of the criminal justice bill already passed by the state legislature to ensure quick dispensation of justice.
Speaker Luke who advised the police to continue to remain out of politics and be professional in the discharge of their duties was flanked during the meeting by other officials and lawmakers including: the Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren; the Deputy Leader of the House and member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ime Okon; the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. David Lawrence and member representing Essien Udim, Hon. Nse Ntuen.
Others were: the Itu Lawmaker, Prince. Idongesit Ituen; member for Oron/Udunguko State Constituency, Hon. Effiong Bassey; Ukanafun representative, Hon. Otobong Jonathan Akpan; Esit Eket/Ibeno representative, Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh, the IKa/Etim Ekpo lawmaker, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby.
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