Nigeria news : Weeds, rodents, snakes, other dangerous animals take over DPO Headquarters in Cross River, Overgrown weeds, dangerous animals including reptiles and rodents have taken over the Divisional Police Office Headquarters in Boje in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River.
wowplus.net gathered that the Divisional Police Office Headquarters was built in 2012 and left to rot. Unfortunately, the administration of the Police Force is domiciled outside Boje.
Confirming the report while speaking with journalists at the Etim Ernest Bassey Press Centre in Calabar on Tuesday, the Chairman of Boje Community Association, Mr Charles Kembre, regretted the development.
“It is sad to note that a magnificent structure meant to accommodate the DPO and his men existed in Boje but not in use. Unfortunately, this edifice is left to rot. In the interim, the administration of the Police Force is domiciled outside Boje. This situation must have provided a fertile ground for the previous crises in Boje Clan to fester.
“It is our prayer that as we await the implementation of the Mobile Police Barracks in Boje, we hope that Mr President will direct the Inspector General of Police to take over the abandoned DPO headquarters.
“The DPO in Boki should immediately return to Boje where he is expected to operate from constitutionally. The Commissioner of Police may kindly enforce this as an interested party in the stability of peace and prosperity in Boki” the group stated.
On the abandonment of local government offices in Boje, Kembre lamented that local government administrators operate in their private houses; cars and every other makeshift place outside the headquarters.
“Subsequent local government administrators have not seen the need to live and work in Boje, but ran the council in their cars and some, their private homes. This has denied the council and indeed Boki an effective local government administration.
“There is no gainsaying that a local government headquarters should have some basic amenities to attract and persuade the permanent residency of the council staff and indeed others an economic voyage.
‘’These should include electricity, portable water, GSM facilties, Microfinance banks etc. All these drive development geometrically. The Governor should also consider the plight of Boje as the seat of the local government headquarters and enhance commence in the area through the provision amenities.”
Speaking further, Mr Kembre regretted that the non-residency and operation of the local government administration from the local government secretariat has encouraged truancy, absenteeism and general ineptitude of the council staff.
The group said that there should be a deliberate action by both local and state governments to urgently monitor and implement the delineation of all boundaries on disrepute areas as agreed with Iso-Bendeghe.
“For our sister state community of Nsadop, we have agreed to abide by the Appeal Court ruling on our disputed boundaries. We appeal to Nsadop community that we close ranks and obtain the interpretation of this judgment for our mutual interest and coexistence,”
When DAILY POST contacted the Commissioner of Police Mr Nkereuwem Akpan, he said he was out of the state on official assignment.
He promised to look into the matter with a view to ensuring that DPO and other officers are posted there and the place put to use, “When I am back, I will make enquiry and possibly look into the matter with a view to doing the needful,” he stated.