…Flags Off Construction of Police Rank-and-File Quarters in Enugu
By Chinedu Adonu
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday said that improved living conditions for police personnel would significantly enhance their efficiency and boost morale, enabling them to give their best in service delivery.
The IGP made the assertion during the official groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a six-man rank-and-file quarters at Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The project is being executed by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).
Represented by the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr. Bitrus Giwa, the IGP said effective housing for officers and men would also strengthen their commitment to their constitutional duties. He lamented that some police personnel still live in squalid conditions, stressing the need for decent accommodation to ensure optimal performance.
“This infrastructural development by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, which aligns with one of its core mandates, will go a long way in enhancing the working environment of police officers in the Ozalla community and Enugu State at large.
“More importantly, it will significantly boost morale, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the commitment of the benefiting officers to their constitutional duties.
“It is therefore the assurance of the Inspector-General of Police that the Nigeria Police Force will provide all necessary support to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to ensure that this project is completed within record time and deployed for its intended purpose,” he said.
The IGP further enjoined contractors and engineers handling the project to uphold the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and integrity throughout the construction process.
While commending the NPTF for the initiative, the Commissioner of Police lamented that several police formations in the state still lack decent accommodation and appealed for similar interventions.
“While expressing our deep appreciation for the conception and commencement of this project, the Enugu State Command, like Oliver Twist, respectfully requests the Trust Fund to extend this noble intervention to other police facilities across the state.
“Of particular concern is the existing six-man rank-and-file quarters adjacent to this site, which is in a seriously dilapidated condition and requires urgent renovation.
“In addition, the Agbani Area Command, which oversees the Ozalla Division and six other divisions, is presently housed in a structure grossly unbefitting of an Area Command Headquarters.
“There is therefore an urgent need for the construction of a purpose-built and befitting headquarters for the Area Command. Several other divisional and area command offices and barracks across the state similarly require attention.
“Consequently, we sincerely request that the Trust Fund, in collaboration with the Officer-in-Charge of Works of the Enugu State Command, undertake an on-the-spot assessment of these facilities to guide future remedial interventions,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, emphasised the importance of decent housing for police personnel, noting that it enhances efficiency and preserves the dignity of officers and men.
“At the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, we strongly believe that a well-housed police officer is a more motivated, more focused, and more effective officer.
“This project is therefore not just about construction; it is about dignity, stability, and creating an enabling environment for our officers and their families.
“This development forms part of a broader nationwide intervention by the Trust Fund, which includes the construction and rehabilitation of police barracks, training institutions, operational infrastructure, and welfare-focused projects, implemented in collaboration with states, communities, and strategic partners,” he said.
He assured that the project would be delivered with transparency, quality, and speed.
Earlier, the Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Nwobodo, thanked the Nigeria Police Force for choosing Ozalla Police Station for the project, describing the gesture as consistent with Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to strengthening security in the state.
He noted that the new quarters would significantly improve police service delivery in the area.
