From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has given approval for the allocation of land to the Nigeria Police Command Zone 16 for construction of administrative and residential structures.
Senator Diri gave the approval on Tuesday when the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Johnson Adenola, the Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and other officers of the command paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor directed the Ministry of Lands and Survey and the Secretary to the State Government to liaise with the command for allocation of the land in response to AIG Adenola’s request,
He said the location of the headquarters of the command, which covers Bayelsa and Rivers states, in Yenagoa, was a pride to the state as it has greatly enhance security.
His words: “The zonal command covers Bayelsa and Rivers states with headquarters in Yenagoa. It is a pride to host it in Yenagoa.
“It has been five years since you have been operating from your temporary office, which was provided by the state government. Your request for land is hereby granted.
“I direct the Commissioner for Lands and Survey and the Secretary to the State Government to liaise with the zone to allocate a befitting land to the command in Yenagoa.”
The state’s helmsman thanked the new AIG for acknowledging the concerns he raised with his predecessor, particularly on the issue of multiple road blocks on the highways, and expressed the optimism that the command will address the challenges.
“Listening to you, clearly you have come hitting the ground running. You are already aware about my concerns as indicated in your speech that l am averse to police road blocks. Every 50 metres, there is a checkpoint and yet these police road blocks do not check crime and criminality. I am glad we have an AIG who is not going to be part of road blocks.”
He urged security agencies to adopt a non-kinetic approach through intelligence gathering to tackle security issues as security was everybody’s responsibility.
Diri stated that his administration had deployed the use of technology through the installation of closed circuit television cameras in major parts of the city as well as drones to curb crime in the state.
“For me, it is better to avert crime than to go about carrying guns to look for criminals. Let us use more of intelligence and technology.”
Earlier, Mr. Johnson Adenola said he assumed office last month as the 11th AIG Zone 16 and expressed appreciation to the state government for its support to the command.
He assured the governor of his loyalty and commitment to enhancing security in the state.
“I came to pledge my loyalty and support to the efforts of the state government in ensuring peace and tranquility in the state. We are making effort to have better policing and ensure a people-friendly and rule of law-compliant force,” Adenola said.
