By Roundoffnews
We have been working for over eight months now without any support to cater for our needs and family.
We took this job with joy to support our nation but the current realities suggest that we have been abandoned.
These are the words of some residents of Ekiti State employed as Special Constabulary Police, Ekiti State Command recently.
Speaking with newsmen in Ifaki-Ekiti, the General One of the Constabulary Police in the state, Mr. Temitope Adeoya explained that they went for training in December 2020 and started working in January this year.
Mr. Adeoya said since they started the work, they had not received anything from government.
The Spokesperson of the Special Constables noted that they were not informed at inception that they were to offer free service.
“Some of us resigned from our various places of work before we were engaged, we did not know that we are to work for free”.
He pointed out that that though it was stated in the community policing handbook that the job is voluntary, another paragraph in the book indicated that government might consider paying them stipends.
According to him, part thirteen (13) of the Police Act makes provision for the payment of allowances, pension among others the Constabularies.
Mr. Adeoya said non payment of the stipends to them had made life difficult for them as it was not easy for them to Feed themselves and their families.
“To transport ourselves to our places of work is not easy, our kits most especially uniform has faded, no money to buy new ones”.
He made it clear that the Officers of the Constabulary were round the clock like regular Police Officers.
“One of our members, Omotuyi Gboyega from Irepodun/Ifelodun local government died in March this year while discharging his duties and nothing is done for his family”.
They however called on local, state and federal governments to see to their plights and accede to their yearnings by prioritising their welfare.
