Bola Babarinde, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in South Africa, has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for donating 259 operational vehicles to the police to bolster security in the state.
Babarinde, in a statement on Sunday, said that the bold move underscores the governor’s resolve to make Lagos a haven of safety.
He said that such move would foster an environment conducive for investment and economic growth for the Africa’s fourth largest economy and fastest growing city.
According to him, the provision of security resources such as vehicles, hardware and communication equipment is a testament to the administration’s proactive stance in ensuring the safety of Lagos residents.
“Lagos is currently regarded as the safest state in Nigeria.
“This status is the result of deliberate and sustained investments in security infrastructure, including the formation of specialised units like the Rapid Response Squad and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
These initiatives have complemented the efforts of the federal police and contributed to the state’s remarkable achievement of recording no bank robberies in the last decade,” he said.
Babarinde, however, urged the governor not to relax in enhancing adequate security in the state, adding that the procurement of vehicles and equipment was “only the beginning.”
He said that in order to maximise the benefits of the vehicles and other security gadgets donated, there must be a robust maintenance programme and insurance policies in place.
Babarinde said that this was necessary due to the fact that the Nigeria Police Force had historically struggled with maintenance culture.
He said that without a strategic approach to maintenance, ” these efforts could go to waste.”
Referencing the South African experience, Babarinde suggested adopting a model where police vehicles were contracted to private vendors for regular maintenance over a period of four to five years.
“This approach has significantly reduced the burden on the South African Police Service and extended the lifespan of their vehicles.
“Nigeria can learn from this model to ensure the sustainability of its security assets,” he said.
Babarinde also called for enhanced training for police officers and other law enforcement personnel on the proper handling and maintenance of public property.
He proposed introducing incentives, such as offering well-maintained vehicles at auction prices to personnel, as a means of fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The APC chieftain also said that the Lagos State Government’s recent partnership with the federal police to remodel barrack projects was a significant step toward improving the living conditions of officers.
“This collaboration is a welcome development and should be replicated across the country. Other states should emulate this collaborative effort to enhance security nationwide.
“Gov. Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector-General of Police have set a benchmark for state-federal collaboration in security infrastructure.
“Such initiatives not only reinforce public confidence but also lay the foundation for sustainable development,” he said.
– NAN
