By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Residents of communities across the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have expressed their happiness over the ongoing construction of 12 divisional police stations and a six-units police staff quarters in the areas.
The project, which is part of Nyesom Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, security infrastructure plan, according them, will not only boost security but also provide employment opportunities for residents.
While speaking with journalists, the architect in charge of one of the projects in Saburi, a community in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Nuhu Musa, revealed that the construction began on November 19.
“The groundbreaking of this project was on November 19, and the next day we commenced clearing of the site. The following week, we excavated”, he said.
According to him, the project which is now at 70% completion, with roofing in progress is moving faster than scheduled.
The project consists of two major structures: a police station and a residence for police personnel.
“We have a programme of work. The schedule of work submitted was for one year, but we plan to be done in six months. If today marks the third month, it means we have roughly three months more, which is too much for us to finish up this project.
“This project is a police station, and the one at the back is the residence for the police staff, which is six units of two-bedroom flats. It’s a block of flats, two on each level, making it six because it’s two floors”, Musa added.
He emphasised that the project has positively impacted the local economy by providing jobs for the residents of the community.
“So far, so good. The people of the community are all cooperating. We employed so many of them. The artisans from here also work for us. The security personnel is also from the community,” he said.
Also speaking, Engineer Ahmed Yahaya, the site engineer for Armodris Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, also highlighted the progress.
“We have been here since November, that is three months now. So far, so good. Work has been moving on. We are moving at a lighter pace. As God would have it, there has been no casualty”, he said.
He expressed gratitude for the project, describing it as a great intervention for the community.
The contractors also commended the residents of the community for their continued support for the project, even as they anticipating its full benefits once it is commissioned.
Prince Yahaya Mohammed, a resident of Saburi 1 who was employed as a supervisor on the project, expressed his excitement about the employment opportunities created.
While commending the FCT Minister for choosing Saburi for the project, he also urged the government to consider Saburi youths in future police recruitment.
For his part, the village head of Saburi, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo, lauded the FCT Administration for the police station project and other infrastructure developments in the area.
He noted that the newly constructed Saburi-Dei Dei road has improved security in the area.
Meanwhile, the director of Security Services at the FCTA, Adamu Gwari, has explained that the police station project is part of the administration’s broader strategy to improve security across the FCT.
He said the idea was conceived after the Minister toured the six Area Councils and engaged with residents.
According to him, the FCT Minister secured presidential approval for 12 divisional police headquarters, each with six-unit staff quarters, across the six area councils.
He noted that since the implementation of the security infrastructure projects, crime rates in the FCT have reduced significantly.
