The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has frowned at report by some sections of the media that he is making moves to sell-off the Nigeria Police Officers’ Mess located at Onikan, Lagos, describing it as totally false.
A statement today, January 18, by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba (Commissioner of Police), quoted the IGP as cautioning media practitioners to beware of rumour-mongering and desist from activities aimed at disparaging and discrediting well-thought-out projects.
Explaining the circumstances around the officers’ mess in question, the statement said that it was conceived decades ago to cater for the welfare of Police Officers, provide transit accommodation for Officers on transfer or on special assignments and provide a conducive social environment suitable for their relaxation.
“Over time however, the property has degenerated and shown structural defects requiring a massive renovation or outright rebuilding.
“In a bid to restore its lost glory, provide a modern and befitting Officers’ Mess and tackle the defects of the old structure, the Police Management Team took a decision to upgrade the existing Officers’ Mess to a world-class edifice.
“Upon completion, the project which is wholly owned by the Police and financed by the Police would improve the aesthetic value of the Onikan waterline, provide one of the best water view facilities on the Lagos Island and serve to improve social interaction between members of the Police Force and the general public.”
The statement said that the Force initially did not consider it unnecessary to respond “to the deliberate misinformation, falsehood and outright mischief by the authors of the publications, but the need to set the records straight and halt the intended damage to a well-thought-out project necessitated this response.”
