By Sarah NEGEDU
Furtherance to its efforts at strengthening security across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, the Executive Committee of the FCTA, has approved the construction of three additional Police Divisional Headquarters in the territory.
This is in addition to other security infrastructure approved at the first Executive Committee, EXCO, meeting of the year held on Thursday.
A total of 12 memos were said to have been submitted for approval, however only six memos bothering on security, infrastructure, and administrative concerns, recieved EXCO approval.
Speaking to journalists after the Executive Committee, EXCO meeting, the Director, Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary, said the sum of N3.648 billion was allocated for construction of the police divisional headquarters alongside six-man officers’ staff quarters to be located in Kuje, Gwagwalada, and Kwali area councils.
He explained that the latest approval brings to a total of 12 new divisional headquarters that have recently been approved for the FCT.
The Director recalled that nine similar projects had been approved and completed last year, adding that this phase completes the initiative of providing two divisional headquarters in each of the area council.
“The facilities include a police divisional headquarters and a six-man staff quarters for officers in these locations. This move will ensure adequate security presence in rural communities and address the security challenges in the hinterlands,” he said.
Emphasizing the commitment of the FCTA to reducing crime and criminality to the barest minimum, Gwary said, “This is a milestone in terms of providing security infrastructure by this administration and this will not be the last. This will continue. As you are all aware, we have made significant progress in terms of reducing crime and criminality in the FCT. The statistics are going down and we want to ensure that such efforts are being maintained to ensure all hands are on deck to reduce the number of crime and criminality to the barest minimum”.
The meeting which was chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, also approved several critical projects, including the provision of infrastructure development, insurance coverage for government assets, as well as two new magistrate courts for Garki and Asokoro districts.
The EXCO also approved the award of contracts for the provision of combined all-risk insurance policy covering the FCTA’s movable and immovable assets for a period of 12 months
Briefing journalists on this development, the Head of Service of the FCTA, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, said this was in compliance to a 2018 federal government directive to protect government assets against various risks, ensuring business continuity and minimizing financial losses.
Adayilo, added that the directive aligns with Sections 64 and 65 of the Insurance Act which mandates compulsory insurance for government properties and assets.
The insurance underwriters, approved are Messrs Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (Lead), Messrs KBL Insurance Plc, Messrs Cornerstone Insurance Plc, and Messrs Crown Takaful Insurance Ltd.
The Insurance Brokerage companies are Messrs Sam/Vic Insurance Brokers Limited (Lead), Messrs Radiance Insurance Brokers Limited, and Messrs KOB Insurance Brokers Limited.
EXCO also approved a contract for the construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Bwari, along with a solar street light system for Arab Road and the U-Shaped road connecting to Arab Road in Kubwa, at the sum of N3.065 billion with a completion period of six months.
Coordinator Satellite Towns Development Department, STDD, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, is optimistic that these projects will enhance security, especially during night hours, and improve overall infrastructure in satellite towns.
The coordinator also disclosed that the FCT Executive Committee approved the award of contract for the construction of multi-event sports centers in Abuja.
In addition, the committee also approved the construction of two Magistrate Courts in Asokoro and Garki Districts at the sum of N7.6 billion and N6.3 billion respectively, with completion periods of 15 and 18 months.
