Ahead of the implementation of the Federal Government’s policy on state policing, Delta State Government has approved the construction of state-of-the-art Divisional Police Headquarters across the 25 local government areas of the State for State Police as part of its efforts to further strengthen security in the state.
The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, wbo disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said EXCO also approved the building of Special Police Protection Unit, SPU in the State.
Aniagwu said the decision was in line with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda and the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property of Deltans and residents in the state.
According to him, the Executive Council approved the construction of 25 modern divisional police headquarters, one in each of the local government areas.
He explained that the projects, which are expected to cost over N34 billion, are aimed at strengthening security architecture in the state, particularly as the Federal Government moves towards implementing state policing across the country.
Aniagwu said: “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.
“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 that the approval of the security projects demonstrates the state government’s proactive approach to safeguarding residents.
He said: “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.
“In addition, the Executive Council also approved the establishment of a Special Police Protection Unit. These two projects together will gulp over N34 billion.
“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 the need for us to move ahead of others, and that is why the approval has been given.”
He added that the Commissioner for Housing has been directed to commence necessary processes to ensure the projects are executed without delay.
Aniagwu further disclosed that the council also approved several other projects across different sectors, including road infrastructure in riverine communities, aimed at improving connectivity and boosting socio-economic development across the state.