The Federal Government has approved the sum of N13.3bn for the take-off of community policing initiative across the country.

The approval is part of the measures aimed at containing the security situation in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled, ‘FG approves N13bn for take-off of community policing in Nigeria’.

Akande said based on the approval, the  National Economic Council at its virtual meeting on Thursday and chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, resolved that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi; with two other governors, should meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to coordinate the proper utilisation of the funding of the initiative.

The statement read, “The National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Policing had made a presentation on its assignment to the council, noting that engagement with key stakeholders on the operationalisation of community policing in the country was ongoing.

“The presentation was made by Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

“Other reports received by council at today’s meeting included reports on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, flood disaster risk management in Nigeria for 2020, and the issue of compensation payments regarding federal highway projects across the country.”