The presidential committee tasked with revamping training institutions for security agencies has promised to meet the deadline for the refurbishment plan.
Governor Peter Mbah, the chairman of the National Economic Council Ad Hoc Committee on the Overhaul of Security Training Institutions, disclosed this during the assessment of the Nigeria Police Training School in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers, on Thursday.
Mr Mbah said that the committee was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu during the National Executive Council meeting.
“The President came to the NEC meeting himself to inaugurate this committee. That tells you how much importance he attaches to the security of lives and property. He recognises that we are at a security crossroad and nothing short of a complete and urgent overhaul is required to secure our future,” Mr Mbah said.
He also said that the committee would submit the bill of quantities for security training facilities nationwide. According to him, the president had already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel.
He, however, said that the exercise would not commence until the country’s training facilities were rebuilt and adequately equipped.
“There’s no way that recruitment can happen if we do not have proper training grounds for these men and women who protect our communities. We are here for an on-the-spot assessment to document the level of decay and ensure that this intervention is nationwide. That was the explicit mandate of the President,” he said.
Mr Mbah explained that most of the training centres had suffered decades of neglect, pointing out that the president’s intervention marked a new beginning for Nigeria’s policing architecture.
“You cannot demand integrity and professionalism from our men and women when the institutions that train them are in ruins,” he said. “This is being treated as a national emergency. The first phase of our work will last one month, after which the committee will oversee the renovation, re-equipping, and reconstruction process. This will not be a patchwork; it will be a total rebuild.”
Additionally, Governor Siminalayi Fubara described the visit as a step towards restoring professionalism and boosting positive morale within the police force. According to Mr Fubara, the president has made a bold statement that he wants properly trained officers. I believe he means it.
“It is not only about fixing buildings; it is about rebuilding morale and professionalism,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that the committee was given four weeks to complete its assignment. Mr Abiodun disclosed that the committee members were divided into two groups: one covering training centres in the North and the other inspecting those in the South.
“This is clear evidence of political will from Mr President. He wants immediate implementation. You cannot train 30,000 new police personnel in these kinds of conditions. What we have seen here in Nonwa-Tai is similar to what we have seen in Lagos, Jos, and Maiduguri. We will submit a detailed report and a budget framework for full rehabilitation so that recruitment and training can begin under proper conditions,” Mr Abiodun said.
(NAN)