US-Based Group Commends Tinubu, IG on Police Green Initiative

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

A United States of America (USA) based green energy initiative, the Sustainable Energy for Developing Nations Initiative (SEDNI), has commended  the Inspector General of Police, (IG), Kayode Egbetokun over the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a green initiative known as the Nigeria Police Green Initiative.

The initiative is aimed at engaging green innovative solutions to boost the operational efficiency and capacity of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime and maintain law and order in Nigeria.

SEDNI, in a statement issued and signed by its President,  Isaac ThankGod, described the Nigeria Police initiative as commendable and should be emulated by other African countries and all developing nations.

The group pointed out that despite the challenging nature of providing security in a country like Nigeria, the initiative will open up the minds of the populace and highlight certain socio-economic factors for effective policing and crime reduction, environmental sustainability, climate change, as well as supporting the lives and livelihoods of the members of the Nigeria Police Force and their families.

They argued that aside from encouraging an improved  civil-police relationship, the Nigeria Police Emission Reduction Programme policy will enhance  the living standard of the men and personnel of the Nigerian Police.

The group also said the policy will become sources of solar lighting across the Police stations, Police colleges, Police barracks, Police outpost and communities in alignment with the transition to low-carbon climate-resilient development.”

“The programme  will encourage transitioning to energy efficient vehicles and gas conversion vehicles, thus reducing premium motor spirits (PMS) consumption and air pollution while increasing efficiency and promoting a healthier lifestyle among police personnel and the community.”

“The initiative will also leverage environmentally sustainable waste and water management, including solar boreholes, and waste-to-energy programmes, thereby reducing operational costs, creating jobs, and a cleaner environment.”

“The NPF is also going beyond our immediate environment by lighting up communities with Solar power to reduce security vulnerability and herder-farmer crisis, conducting outreach programmes to educate citizens on the importance of preserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and engaging in sustainable practices, thereby effectively managing scarce natural resource-induced conflicts such as the herder-farmer conflicts,” the statement added.

SEDNI also agreed that the Nigeria Police is leading by example by recognising the need for government agencies and the private sector to take proactive measures in aligning Climate Action with law enforcement and security issues.

“We have identified major stakeholders such as the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Agencies within the European Union, and at the United Nations who will work with us in the take-off and sustainability of this great green initiative.”

“The IG, Kayode Egbetokun had during the launch emphasised that the Nigeria Police Green Initiative could not have come at a better time following the recently concluded 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) on Climate Change in