Delta okays N34bn for 25 divisional police headquarters

The Delta State Government has approved the construction of 25 modern divisional police headquarters across its local government areas and a Special Police Protection Unit (SPU) as part of efforts to strengthen security ahead of the implementation of state policing.

According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, the announcement was made on Friday by the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads), Mr Charles Aniagwu, while briefing journalists at the end of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

“The Executive Council meeting today, as usual, was led by the Governor in line with the MORE Agenda, and several projects that touched the lives of our people across the 25 local government areas and across different sectors were approved,” Aniagwu said.

“However, principal among the decisions reached today hinge on the number one responsibility of government, which is the security of lives and property,” he added.

Aniagwu explained that the projects, expected to cost over N34 billion, are aimed at strengthening the state’s security architecture, particularly as the Federal Government moves toward implementing state policing nationwide.

“Flowing from that, and ahead of the Federal Government’s policy on state policing, the state government today approved the construction of state-of-the-art divisional police headquarters in the 25 local government areas of the state. That means we are going to have 25 of such facilities,” he said.

In addition, the Executive Council also approved the establishment of a Special Police Protection Unit. These two projects together will gulp over N34 billion,” Aniagwu added.

In addition, the Executive Council also approved the establishment of a Special Police Protection Unit. These two projects together will gulp over N34 billion,” Aniagwu added.

He stressed that the approval demonstrates the state government’s proactive approach to safeguarding residents.

“Even though Delta today ranks as one of the most secure and safest states to live in Nigeria, our government believes that we need to take it a notch higher. With the Federal Government favourably disposed to allowing state policing across the country, there is a need for us to move ahead of others, and that is why the approval has been given,” he said.

Aniagwu also revealed that the Commissioner for Housing has been directed to commence necessary processes to ensure the projects are executed without delay.

He further disclosed that the council approved several other initiatives across different sectors, including road infrastructure in riverine communities, aimed at improving connectivity and boosting socio-economic development across the state.

Culled from punch