UNDP Invests $16 Million in Building Police Barracks and Enhancing Training in North East

• The UNDP invested $16 million over four years to build and equip nine police barracks in Nigeria’s North East, supporting police reform
• UNDP’s collaboration with the federal government emphasizes commitment to enhancing law enforcement capacity and fostering police reform

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has disclosed that it spent $16 million over four years to construct nine fully-equipped police barracks in the North East states of Nigeria. This effort aligns with the organization’s commitment to supporting police reform and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement in the region.

Muhammed Yahaya, the Resident Representative of UNDP, shared this information during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. Yahaya highlighted the substantial investment in building and equipping police barracks, emphasizing the positive collaboration with the federal government in advancing police reform.

The UNDP also undertook the rehabilitation of the Police Training Centre in Jos, where approximately 400 trainers were trained to instruct around 20,000 trainees within the Police Force.

Yahaya expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the federal government to police reform, and he reaffirmed the UNDP’s dedication to supporting these efforts through collaboration, particularly with the German Foreign Office.

In response, Minister Gaidam acknowledged the instrumental support provided by the UNDP in aligning with the ministry’s objectives. He emphasized the importance of the UNDP’s technical expertise and resources in advancing the goals of police reform. The visit provided valuable insights into the progress achieved through the collaboration between the Ministry of Police Affairs and the UNDP.

The partnership between the UNDP and the Ministry of Police Affairs is seen as a significant step towards raising policing standards, enhancing accountability, and fostering deeper collaboration for more effective policing in Nigeria.