Tamale, March 29, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, the Northern Regional Minister, has commended personnel of the security services in the region for their professionalism in the performance of their duties that has sustained the peace in the region.

The minister, who was speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of a 20-member Northern Regional Police Committee, said: "The security services in the region have exhibited a high sense of patriotism and commitment in carrying out their duties".

"The chiefs and people of the region have not failed to appreciate these efforts because these have saved us from worse scenarios." "The situation would have been difficult without the presence and help of the security. All the people in the region owe them a debt of gratitude," he said.

Alhaji Idris said though the personnel worked under harsh conditions they persevered and ensured that there was peace in Dagbon. He gave the assurance that the Northern Regional Coordinating Council would give them the necessary assistance to operate more efficiently.

He said the inauguration of the Committee was an added advantage to the security agencies to spur them on to offer better services to the people to win their confidence.

Mr. Justice Sam Baddoo, Chairman of the Police Council who inaugurated the committee, said measures were being taken to ensure that the police in the Northern Region were adequately rewarded for their resilience and commitment to work.

He noted with regret the low salaries of the police, especially, police constables, whom he said were receiving salaries below nine million cedis a year and called for improved service conditions to enhance their standard of living.

Mr. Baddoo mentioned the provision of residential and office accommodation, transportation and the building of the capacity of the police as some of the measures to ensure a vibrant and effective police service.

Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said the Northern Region was leading in the provision of new police stations in the country.

He appealed to the other Regional Coordinating Councils and District Assemblies to make good use of land given to the service by traditional councils to build infrastructure for the police. He mentioned the Aboabo Police Station in the Tamale Metropolis, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo and Tolon/Kumbungu as districts where the Assemblies had helped to build police stations. Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah, the Minister of the Interior, in a speech read on his behalf, said the committee had an onerous task but added that with commitment and determination the members could work collectively to win public confidence.