INFRASTRUCTURE: IGP ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LASG TO MODERNIZE 25 POLICE BARRACKS, OTHER FACILITIES
By Aishat Momoh. O.
In a bid to enhance the overall welfare of Police personnel serving in Lagos State, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has announced partnership with the Lagos State Government to modernize 25 Police barracks and other facilities in the state.
The initiative is in accordance with the longstanding issue of poor and dilapidated infrastructures within the facilities occupied by police personnel.
According to Alkali Baba, who was represented by the Force Public Relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, at the Ikeja Police Command Headquarters on Wednesday, he said that the development has so far led to the construction of over 198 projects which includes more than 120 modern police stations, barracks and other police buildings across the country.
He added that the effort is to ensure improved working conditions for more effective and efficient service delivery.
“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has deemed it fit to carry out necessary demolition, redevelopment and reconstruction of 25 Police barracks and facilities in full compliance with the Lagos State Government’s recommendation on the poor conditions of the barracks that do not match up to the structured integrity test.”
The IGP however, announced the plans for a series of sensitization and relocation efforts for the personnel living in the affected barracks between Monday, 1st May and Wednesday, 31st May 2023.
He added that a directive has been issued that those living in these barracks be issued a one-month notice to vacate their accommodation spaces.
He said, “This directive will be carried out all at once, but will be implemented gradually in phased stages to ensure that all officially recognized and lawful occupants of the affected barracks will be properly catered for”
“All currently living and legally seated residents of any of the affected barracks will receive a maximum sum of money equaling the rental cost for the location to their barracks for two years, this will aid them in advance in acquiring alternative accommodation options throughout the period of reconstruction.”
He assured that all officers who are on active service and living in these Barracks legally, will receive new keys to the new structures upon completion of the new improved hosing area.
In response, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on E-GIS and Planning Matters said that, the Lagos State Government will provide housing as support for the duration of the time of the project.
He also said that, the government will give all permits needed and other forms of support to the force in an effort to bring back life to the barracks.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Rudolf Obe, also while speaking at the press briefing mentioned that most of the affected structures have already been marked for demolition.