Gov Soludo budgets N1.3b for vigilance groups

Anambra State has earmarked N1.3 billion in its 2023 budget to fund the operations of vigilance groups in the state.

Commissioner of Homeland Affairs Chikodi Anara stated this yesterday while defending the ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly Committee on Police, Security and Boundary Matters.

Anara said the vigilance groups have been assisting security agencies in community policing and maintenance of law and order.

According to him, the relationship between the police and the vigilance groups was cordial, adding that members of the group take instructions from the police and other security agencies.

He added: “If our 2023 budget is approved, we plan to train the community-based vigilance groups, data capturing of the personnel, purchase security equipment and intensify grassroots sensitisation on security matters.

“We plan to build a rehabilitation centre for youths, which will also serve as correction facility for repented criminals.”

Anara, who restated the government’s commitment to the security of lives and property, added: “I am happy that with the support of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, security has really improved in the state and we wish to sustain it. We are also telling Anambra indigenes resident outside the state that they can come home for the yuletide because Anambra is now peaceful and safe for all.”

Committee Chairman Onyebuchi Offor hailed the ministry for its efforts at improving security in communities across the state. He called for constant training of vigilance personnel on rules of engagement to ensure safety and security.

The government also earmarked N5.6 billion to fund youth empowerment programmes in 2023.

Commissioner for Youth Development Patrick Aghamba stated this while defending the ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly Committee on Youths and Sports Development. According to Aghamba, Governor Soludo’s administration is committed to taking the youths out of the streets and engaging them in meaningful ventures to safeguard their future. He said the empowerment programme was also aimed at taking the state from consumption to productive economy ‘as we plan to create thousands of millionaires every year’.

“The empowerment programme is tagged ‘One Youth Two Skills’, and as at September this year, we have trained about 5,000 youths in different vocations of their choice to make them self-reliant. The training include Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme, also known as ‘Igba Boyi’, metal fabrication, furniture making, aluminum fabrication, catering and Information Communication Technology. They also had training in Cosmetology, Agro-livestock value chain, among others, in their various local government areas.

“The sum of N5.6 billion was budgeted for youth empowerment in 2023 fiscal year and we plan to employ more experts in the selected skills to train more youths next year,” he added.

Committee Chairman Noble Igwe praised the ministry for a good budget performance, and urged it to ensure a balanced representation of youths across the 21 council areas.