Jacob Segun Olatunji – Abuja
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Solomon Arase, on Thursday assumed office as the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Dr Arase was sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday as the new Chairman of the Commission
Speaking with newsmen shortly after he met with the top officials and Union Leaders of the commission, Dr Arase assured that the welfare of the staff of the commission and that of the Police Personnel would be his priority.
He assured that his relationship with the staff of the commission and the Nigeria Police Force would be cordial for the Commission to the ability to carry out its Constitutional roles to the letter
According to him, “the only thing that I crave for now is how I will be able to impact the officers and men of the Police Service Commission. That is what my legacy will be. The relationship will be smooth. national interest should be paramount.
“I cannot work in a toxic environment. I can only perform when I have a peaceful environment and I will encourage that.
“I actually assumed duty this morning and I felt the first thing I should do is to meet with the directors and other members of staff of the commission for us to be able to chat about a new cause.
“Yesterday, after I was inaugurated, I said there is going to be a change in our relationship with the oversight function with the Nigerian Police Force.
“Most of the things we have hard in: the recent times, have been some disquiet in about the relationship between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force, when it comes to the issues of who has the responsibility to do one thing or the other, and has come to that from now forthwith”.
“The major aspect that we have not talked about that the commission is supposed to be stronger is the issue of the security sector reform. and that is when I am going to seek your cooperation to see how we can move forward.
While urging for the support of Media Practitioners in the course of his assignment, Arase said, “we are going to be opened to journalists and we will not want speculations we will keep our doors open, we will have nothing to hide, just endeavour to contact us for clarification whenever the next arises”.
