NEDC moves to fast-track take-off of Police Tactical Training School in Gombe
The North East Development Commission (NEDC), on Thursday, pledged supports towards fast-tracking the smooth take-off of the Police Tactical Training School in Gombe state.
The pledge was made following an inspection visit by top officials of the commission who accompanied Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state on an on-the-spot assessment of the school.
Our correspondent reports that the school is located in Tilel Community in Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe state.
Recall that the Gombe state Government had in Nov 2020 donated the facility to the Nigeria Police to be used as a base for the training of its personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Border Patrol.
However, the training centre was yet to be in full operation as at the time the team visited as a result of lack of specific facilities that will enhance the smooth take-off of the centre.
While briefing top NEDC officials, Gov Yahaya said the school was originally donated to the community as an intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria and since construction had not been put to use as a result of the threat of insurgency.
He said that it was in this regard that consultations were made with the Nigeria Police for the structure to be used in training policemen towards strengthening security in the region.
The governor appealed to the NEDC to intervene as such intervention would translate to improving the lives of the people, adding “there is nothing you can do better for the people than to provide them security, shelter and food.”
Yahaya said that the school which sits on 15 hectares of land could be developed to take any facilities toward the effective training of the three units.
Reacting to the appeal, the Chairman, Governing Board of the NEDC, retired Maj-Gen Paul Tarfa said the commission would collaborate with all stakeholders with a view to supporting the school.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali said the details about the school would be studied for speedy intervention in view of the security benefit it holds for the people of the Northeast.
“We will set up the process as soon as next week once we get the details from the police and from the Governor’s office so that the process can start,” he said.
The team then proceeded to Dukku Community where NEDC inaugurated as well as handed over a well rehabilitated farm centre, tractors and other implement to the government for use.
This, the commission said it was doing to support efforts of the Federal Government in the agriculture sector while boosting food security in the region.
Recall that similar handing over of farm centres in Ladongor and Kalshingi Communities were done on Wednesday.
