Architects to design new police formations, audit facilities

 -By Dada Jackson

Worried by the dilapidated facilities that abound in many police formations across the country, the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) has promised to design modern facilities for them.

The President of the institute, Mr Sonny Echono, disclosed this, in a statement.

According to him, it is disheartening to see the state of most police barracks all over the country, pointing out that they are nothing to write home about.

The NIA helmsman frowned on the idea of having separate barracks for men and women of the force.

He was quick to add that it was a hangover from the colonial era.

He said the institute would soon embark on an exercise to audit all police facilities across the country with a view to ascertaining their feasibility.

He said the exercise, which would be all-encompassing, would involve other institutions like the police colleges, stations, barracks and related facilities, correctional centres, courts healthcare facilities, public schools, public square,parks and gardens, cultural centres as well as sports facilities.

Echono called for a gradual discontinuation of the policy of isolating barracks for men and women.

He added that it should be replaced with the provision of long-term concessionary house ownership schemes for personnel in the communities where they serve.