Maintenance Of Peace, Security: AKSG Floats Security Trust Fund

By Bassey Nkponam 
UYO 
As part of efforts to ensure that Akwa Ibom continuously remains a peaceful state, the State government has launched the Security Trust Fund, conceived as public-private partnership vehicle to mobilise and manage resources for the support of security agencies, protection of lives and property, and the creation of a safe environment for business, investment and community life.
At the launch of the fund, yesterday, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno,  pledged to provide all the necessary supports and amenities needed to ensure a peaceful implementation of the initiative. 
Eno said the Security Trust fund marks the beginning of a shared journey towards a more secure and prosperous Akwa Ibom, saw security as the first order of government, and the Security Trust Fund as a vehicle to bring all hands on deck to tackle insecurity issues in the State.
The governor explained that the letter “S” as seen in the ARISE Agenda stands for security management, which the State has been benefiting from, using Ibom Community Watch, and the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways as points of view, adding that one of his electioneering promises was to demystify governance for the benefit of Akwa Ibom people. 
He acknowledged the contributions of the various security agencies in the State in the maintenance of peace and security, and assured them of his administration’s continued support to enable them perform their duties with ease.
   The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, in his special remarks, applauded Eno for his foresight in leadership by establishing the State Security Trust Fund, adding that the fund will enhance logistics, acquisition of vehicles, and gadgets for officers to serve better, as without safety, there can be no development.
Egbetokun who was represented by the commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State command, CP Baba Mohamed Azare, lauded the State government’s initiative in establishing the trust fund, and thanked all the contributors to the trust fund, for sowing into the initiative.
The chairman on the occasion and immediate past Inspector General of Police, Usman Kali, noted that the security and well-being of the citizens was the responsibility of the government, as no genuine development can be achieved without a good security architecture.
Kali said though the State Security Trust Fund is the initiative of government, it is citizens-government partnership.
He described security as capital intensive, adding that the process of achieving the security trust fund in a state does not only give practical effect, but also underscores the love and  principled involvement.
Kali, who is the 21st Inspector General of Police, observed that the security and welfare of the people was the primary purpose of governance, calling on the State government and stakeholders to deepen their collaboration with security agencies in protecting lives and property of the citizens. 
Giving an overview of the trust fund, the commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien (Rtd), highlighted the effort of government in tackling insecurity both on land and the state’s waterways, saying the fund will be judiciously managed to ensure safety in coastal lines, among other areas of the state. 
The chairman, Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN, in his welcome remarks, applauded the governor for his initiative in putting in place the State Security Trust Fund.
According to him, the issue of security is not the business of the police alone, but the responsibility of all, lauding the vision of Governor Eno in seeing the need to set up a public-private partnership to control security in the State.
Usoro, who also chairs the board of Access Bank Plc, noted that  though the federal government was funding the security agencies, the Akwa Ibom Governor also saw the need for a public-private-partnership for the funding of the security agencies in the State which culminated in the launch.
He emphasised that the trust fund is to sustain the security and peace enjoyed in the State, while the launch therefore, aimed at creating a wider awareness on the initiative.