From Victor Edozie, in Port Harcourt
The Presidential Committee on the Overhaul and Revamp of Training Institutions for Security Agencies, chaired by Enugu State Governor, Barrister Peter Mbah, has said it is working closely with consultants to meet its deadline for submitting findings and comprehensive bill of quantities that will capture the total cost of refurbishing the country’s security training facilities for full implementation.
This assurance was given on Thursday when the eight-member committee inspected the Nigeria Police Training School in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, as part of its nationwide assessment of security training institutions.
The committee, which was inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a meeting of the National Economic Council, was joined on the visit by Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alongside Secretary of the committee, IGP Baba Usman (rtd), and others.
A press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to governor Fubara said the team found the Nonwa-Tai training school in a state of abandonment and disrepair, with vandalised buildings, broken infrastructure, and overgrown surroundings.
Addressing newsmen after the inspection, Governor Mbah said that the visit followed Mr President’s directive to urgently assess and rehabilitate all police and security training facilities across the country. He said the president’s decision underscored his recognition that Nigeria’s security challenges require immediate and comprehensive intervention.
“The president personally inaugurated this committee because he recognises that we are at a security crossroads. Nothing short of a complete and urgent overhaul is required. The president has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel, but that process cannot begin without functional training institutions.”
He also explained that the visit formed part of a fact-finding mission to verify the true condition of the country’s training centres. “We have received reports from across the country, but we came to see things for ourselves,” he said.
“We cannot demand integrity and excellence from our officers when the institutions that train them are neglected and broken. This exercise reflects the president’s commitment to get things done and done quickly.”
Governor Mbah stated that the project would be handled with the urgency it deserves. “These facilities have endured decades of neglect, and now the president has decided we must act,” he said.
“The first phase of our work will last one month, after which the committee will oversee the renovation, re-equipping, and reconstruction process. This will not be a patchwork, it will be a total rebuild.”
Also speaking, Governor Siminalayi Fubara described the visit as a step towards restoring professionalism and positive morale within the police force.
“The president has made a bold statement that he wants properly trained officers,” he said. “This is not just talk. I believe he means it. It is not only about fixing buildings; it is about rebuilding morale and professionalism.”
Amplifying the seriousness of Mr President, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the committee has been given four weeks to complete its assignment. He disclosed that the members had been divided into two groups, one covering training centres in the North and the other inspecting those in the South.
“This is clear evidence of political will from Mr President,” Governor Abiodun said. “He wants immediate implementation. You cannot train 30,000 new police personnel in these kinds of conditions. What we have seen here in Nonwa-Tai is similar to what we have seen in Lagos, Jos, and Maiduguri. We will submit a detailed report and a budget framework for full rehabilitation so that recruitment and training can begin under proper conditions.”
