Abuja – December 07, 2023 – Viewpoint Housing News.
Seven months after handing quit notice to 22,500 police officers living in the 25 barracks marked for demolition by the Lagos State government, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is yet to effect payment of rent to the displaced officers seven months after the promise was made.
It was recommended that the barracks be demolished due to their failure to pass the structural integrity test. In exchange for leaving the barracks between May 1 and May 30 to allow for rebuilding efforts, the affected officers were promised a specific sum of money to rent temporary housing for the two years that the rehabilitation project is anticipated to take.
The Ministry of Police Affairs is allotted N938.7 billion in the proposed budget for 2024, of which N806.7 billion is for personnel costs, N62.4 billion is for overhead, and N69.6 billion is for capital projects.
Particularly, an estimated N100,513,975 would be needed for the continuous evaluation of police barracks around the country; N5.77 billion will be needed for the building or furnishing of police stations and barracks; and N1 billion will be needed for the restoration and maintenance of both.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Lagos State government, the destruction, rebuilding, and rehabilitation of twenty-five barracks and amenities were announced by Usman Alkali Baba, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), on May 3.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesperson, denied at the time that officers were ordered packing without adequate notice or plans for alternate housing, stating: “We have not forced anyone out of the barracks.” Between May 1 and May 30, they are anticipated to depart. But until their money is paid for a new place to live, they won’t be asked to relocate.
Unfortunately, though, the estimated 22,500 police officers residing in the impacted barracks still haven’t received their rent from the NPF, seven months after the May deadline.
A majority of the officers residing at the barracks are reportedly ignorant of the transfer plan, according to inquiries. The barracks officials have not provided a quit notice to any of the impacted police personnel.
Numerous police personnel and their dependents who reside in the abandoned buildings are unsure of what to do next because of the police officials’ careless attitude towards the project.
Along with the project’s anticipated billion-plus cost, it was discovered that moving the impacted officers to a place like Lagos would have enormous financial ramifications and would not be possible given the present state of the country’s economy.
“I am not against officers moving, but before the relocation, they should provide a conducive place for us to stay,” said an officer who begged to remain anonymous. Renovations to the structures are severely required.Living here has never been comfortable, but you have to make do with what is given to you when you don’t get what you desire. Living in an unfavourable environment when we return from work has an impact on our output and quality of work. When discussing relocation, they should keep in mind that Ikoyi is not the same as Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu, or Oshodi. This is Ikoyi.
When questioned about how many officers would be impacted by the plan, the Force spokesperson stated that he needed to conduct an audit to ascertain the number of employees in the barracks.
One reason the facilities are overcrowded, in his opinion, is because there are people residing in the barracks who are not police officers. Before taking any action, he stated that the Force was tasked with identifying legitimate officers.
When asked how much the construction would likely cost, he was unable to provide an exact figure.
Billions of Naira, he declared. I can’t say for sure right now, but estimates put it in the billions. For them, we have a relocation strategy. Phases will be completed. They will get funds to rent whatever housing they want in the vicinity of their barracks (locations) for a period of two years before to the start of any move. It’s relocation rather than eviction. Please take note. he asserted.
Appalled by the sorry situations of the barracks, lawmakers in the House of Representatives had recently demanded that the Federal Government auction the barracks across the country, because they have turned to ‘squalor quarters’ despite the billions spent on renovating them.
This is even as the House noted that between 2019 – 2022, over N5 billion was spent by the Federal Government on Police barracks renovations in Nigeria, saying despite all efforts, barracks continue to fail to meet basic needs in their current state of disrepair and lack of maintenance.
The lawmaker noted that the problem of adequate and dignified accommodation for police officers persists and has so far outlived all previous measures.
He expressed worry that police officers and their families live in squalor quarters characterised by large cracks on the wall, bat-infested houses, leaking roofs and dilapidated structures for barracks across the country
He argued that the deplorable living condition of the Police officers has dampened their morale and productivity, stressing that if this issue is not urgently addressed, the welfare of officers will continue to deteriorate.
