Doris Ewoh, Enugu
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has flagged off the construction of six-man rank-and-file quarters, aimed at providing decent accommodation for police officers serving in the Ozalla Division.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, at the Ozalla Police Division, Enugu State Command, with executives from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, officers of the Enugu State Command, political stakeholders, traditional rulers, and community leaders in attendance.
In his address, the Inspector-General of Police, ably represented by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, expressed appreciation to the Board and Management of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for the landmark project, as well as to the Federal Government, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for prioritizing police reforms.
He stated that the project would go a long way in enhancing the working environment for police officers in Ozalla and across Enugu State, significantly boosting morale, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening the commitment of the benefiting officers to their constitutional duties.
CP Giwa further assured that the Inspector-General of Police would ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe, while the engineers handling the construction would carry out the required due diligence.
“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 in record time and deployed for its intended purpose. He also enjoined the contractors and engineers handling the project to uphold the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and integrity throughout the construction process,” he said.
He additionally requested that the Trust Fund extend this noble intervention to other police facilities across the state. Of particular concern, he noted, is the existing six-man rank-and-file quarters adjacent to the site, which is in a seriously dilapidated condition and requires urgent attention.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu, explained that the project is part of the Fund’s deliberate efforts to address the long-standing accommodation challenges faced by police personnel across the country. He disclosed that as the groundbreaking commences, “the project will be delivered with transparency, quality, and speed.”
He went on to thank the Enugu State Government for the provision of the land, describing it not merely as a parcel of land but as a symbol of partnership, trust, and shared responsibility reflecting the governor’s commitment to security and improving the welfare of those who protect the community.
Sheidu assured that the project would contribute significantly to the welfare of police officers by preserving their dignity, ensuring stability, and creating an enabling environment for officers and their families.
He noted that the 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 other welfare-focused projects implemented in collaboration with states, communities, and strategic partners.
The Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Ogbodo, expressed excitement over Ozalla being selected for the construction of the six-man rank-and-file quarters, considering the poor accommodation situation for police officers in the division.
“I have been here before and saw where the police are staying, and I said, ‘The police are suffering.’ Thank you so much for bringing this project to Ozalla. It is a great initiative. By the time it is completed, I am sure this place will have a fine edifice,” he said.
He further commended CP Giwa for his commendable efforts in maintaining law and order in the state and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the police within Nkanu West.
A traditional ruler of an Ozalla Community, Igwe Sylvanus Okeke, expressed joy at witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony and the commencement of construction. He recalled that in the 1970s, when the land was first allocated to the Nigeria Police, nothing significant was done on it until a structure was later erected. He noted that the facility, now used by people beyond the Ozalla community, has enhanced peace and security in the area.
The President General of ODU, Obiora Okwuibe, appealed for the strengthening of the Ozalla Police Division to enable it to effectively manage security challenges arising from heavy traffic along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, which intersects with Ebonyi, Udi, and Anambra roads.
He also urged the contractors to construct buildings that would stand the test of time by using appropriate and durable materials.