In a bid to save cost and strengthen national security, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has taken steps to upgrade vital operational facilities of the Nigeria Police.

To this end, a partnership deal was reached at the weekend between NASENI and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force with the aims of reactivating Police vehicles, helicopters and Maintenance Workshops across the country

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI Mr Khalil Halilu who was received in audience at the Force Headquarters by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun said “NASENI is the only purpose-built Federal agency with the mandate to intervene in all fields of Science and Engineering Infrastructure”

Halilu said the function of the Nigeria Police is heavily dependent on the availability of vehicles and other transport assets, noting that these assets enable the police to respond promptly and adequately to security threats and situations.

Under the terms of the partnership, according to NASENI Boss, the agency “will mobilize the financing and the technical know-how needed to accomplish two primary objectives: Retool, upgrade and modernize the Nigeria Police Force vehicles, maintenance workshops nationwide, Recover, repair and reactivate all Police vehicles and related assets that are no longer operational or forfeited to, or confiscated by, the Police”.

On the benefits of the Partnership, Halilu said it will improve Security as the Police will be better equipped and positioned to do their work.

He added that “the project will support Nigeria’s climate action ambitions, by ensuring the conversion of vehicles from petrol and diesel to cleaner forms: Electric Vehicles and CNG/LNG-powered.

“The project will support local content efforts by prioritizing the use of locally manufactured components and materials

“The project will create new vehicle maintenance and repair jobs and skill acquisition opportunities in the course of the implementation of this Agreement.

“The revamped workshops will be managed such that they will be able to generate surplus income that will fund the ongoing maintenance of police assets, adding the project is expected to be financially self-sustaining,”

In his response, the Inspector General said the partnership is coming at a time concerned citizens and corporate bodies are partnering with the force to tackle the nation’s security challenges. He promised to work with NASENI to revamp critical facilities and equipment of the force.