Benin – The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase on Saturday inaugurated 100 police housing units
Christened Omo N’Oba Erediauwa Police Housing Estate, it is located in Ogua community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.
He said his administration had inaugurated similar projects in seven other states across the country in the bid to help plan the retirement life style of police personnel.
Arase, however, expressed sadness that community leaders were overtly threatening the police authority over alleged unpaid compensation for the land where the housing units were located.
He, nonetheless, commended the Police Investment Committee in Abuja over the smooth handling and completion of the project, saying “I have fulfilled the third leg of my promise of providing befitting housing units for police personnel.’’
“I had during y assumption of office promised to reward inspectors and rank and file police personnel through promotion and scholarship to children of police, all these I have done.
“But I want to eradicate that barrack mentality by ensuring that the estate is also being occupied by civilians and other professionals to further encourage and enhance the police-civilian cordial relationship,’’ he said.
Earlier, the Enogie of Ogu, Ogiesoba Aghahowen, in his address of welcome, described the three communities of Egba, Oka and Ogua, as peace loving.
He, however, said that the communities were running out of patience over the unpaid compensation for the land.
“ We urge the IG and police authority to do the needful to avoid break down of law and order,’’ he said.
The Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, who spoke for the palace, thanked the police authority for naming the estate after the late Oba Erediauwa.
Igbe, a retired commissioner of police, said “my father, the Oba, who is on a journey will be glad for this.
“ I will take this message and gift( prototype of the estate) to the palace and to the Crown Prince and Ediaken of Uselu,’’ he said.
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole commended Arase “for changing the face of police and bringing intellectualism into policing our community.’’
Represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonbvere, Oshiomhole said “ I can boldly say that the Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, has adopted your style and has made Edo the safest state in the South South region.
While Igbe inaugurated the housing estate on behalf of the palace, the IG inaugurated the 300- seater state of the art theatre at the Ogida training school and the Magnus Eweka Cottage hospital in GRA, both in Benin. (NAN)