THE Delta State Executive Council has approved the sum of N34billion for the construction of Police Divisional Headquarters across the 25 local councils ahead of the proposed State Police.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, in February this year, urged the National Assembly to amend the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to give legal backing to State Police to enable the decentralision of policing in the country amid rising insecurity.
The President stressed the need for State Police to strengthen grassroots security, noting that Nigeria continues to face multiple threats, including terrorism, banditry and insurgency, which require more flexible and locally driven responses.
Tinubu said establishing State Police would enable subnational governments to respond more quickly to security threats within their jurisdictions and complement existing federal security structures.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, at a news briefing on some of the decisions reached at the meeting, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the Government House, Asaba, said the state government took the decision in recognition of its responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of residents, while strengthening security infrastructure across the state.
He stated: “Ahead of the federal government policy on State Police, the state government today approved the construction of the state-of-the-art Divisional Police Headquarters in the 25 LGAs and a Special Police Protection Unit at the cost of about N34billion.
“This is because we want to advance the security of our people even when, today, Delta ranks as one of the most secured and safest states to live in Nigeria.”
The decision was part of over N400billion worth of approved by the Council, including construction and rehabilitation of over 50 road projects across the state, hostels for the nine state-owned tertiary institutions, rural electrification projects and social intervention programmes.
Aniagwu stated that the government was partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the EXCO approved N5billion to boost electricity supply in the state, adding: “Government also approved N1.5billion for the Ministry of Economic Planning to execute the second phase of its social investment intervention in the state.”
Also speaking, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, explained that the state government also approved the construction of 10 units of residential quarters for Judges; five at Osubi in Delta Central and five in Asaba.
Ohwovoriole said in its bid to ensure conducive working environment, government approved the renovation of 16 Customary Courts and 26 Magistrates’ Courts across the state, in addition to plans to ensure a better welfare package for the magistrates, particularly regarding mobility and housing.
His Higher Education counterpart, Johnbull Tonukari, disclosed government’s approval for the construction of one male and one female hostels in each of the nine state-owned tertiary institutions to address their accommodation challenges.
Tonukari said when completed, the hostels would provide accommodation for at least 960 students in each of the institutions, including four universities, three polytechnics and two colleges of education.
Commissioner for Housing, Godknows Angele, assured that his ministry was ready to deliver all the projects in good time and according to specifications.
Published:
Related articles
Recent articles
