Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam said on Tuesday that they would explore revenue options to fund policing activities in the country.

Mr Gaidam said at the opening of a stakeholders’ conference on internally generated revenue organised by the ministry in Abuja that more funding would improve the quality of policing and operations.

The minister said the participants were expected to suggest internal revenue options for the ministry and its agencies.

“The limited sources of resources at the disposal of the police are mostly from government funding, support from philanthropists and internally generated revenue, which is very minimal. In Europe, America and other parts of the world, if services are rendered to any VIP, it is calculated and the VIP pays for it once the police are involved.

“We are not asking that the Nigeria Police Force should make a profit for the government. We are looking at ways to ensure a sustainable source of resources that will continue to flow internally to support the efforts of the government,” he said.

Mr Gaidam said many countries normally ask for character certification from Nigerians before they issue visas, adding that the police usually provide the certificate.

“That service needs to continue; that service needs to be improved; we don’t want a situation where you are living in Maiduguri, Sokoto, Port Harcourt or Lagos, and you have to come to Abuja to apply for a character certificate.

“We want it to be a seamless process; you do it online, pay a token and get your certificate, provided you produce the needed information. All these services coming together will, at the end of the day, make life easier for everybody.

“With the token paid, police can continue with the provision of the service without fully relying on government funding,” the minister said.

(NAN)