In a bid to improve the welfare of police officers, especially Inspectors and Rank and File, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has mandated the Police Works Department (which is made up of Architects, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Building Engineers, Estate Managers, Quantity Surveyors among others) to commence building of 500 units of modern and cost effective houses in each of the 12 Police Zones. The houses are to be completed within six months.

The charge was given yesterday during a one-day workshop of all Police Works officers held at the IGP’s Conference Room, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

In the course of the conference, which was called to review the activities of the Department, the IGP expressed his displeasure over shoddy projects carried out in the past for the Force by some building developers at high cost. This new initiative will be driven by the relevant professional expertise within the Force and would be a continuous project.

Upon completion, a unit of two bedroom flat would be delivered to officers at a cost not above N4m as materials would be sourced directly from manufacturers.

The IGP stated further that corrupt officers will not benefit from this project. Officers will be able to acquire the houses through NPF Mortgage Bank Plc and the Bank in collaboration with National Housing Fund would finance the project with the Investment Department of the Force coordinating.

•Photo shows IGP Arase