Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, on Thursday, inaugurated a newly-reconstructed Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was constructed at the cost of N12 million.
NAN also recalls that the police station, Okitipupa local government secretariat and other government property were set ablaze on Oct. 22, 2020 by irate youths during protest against police brutality, popularly known as #EndSARS.
Tofowomo, after ascertaining the level of destruction of the property, promised to rebuild the police station, which he started last year.
The senator, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, said during the inauguration that the rebuilding of the police station was in fulfillment of his promise to ensure security of lives and property of his constituents.
He also stated that the reconstruction of the police station was done with his personal resources, and not a constituency project.
Tofowomo also called for proper funding of the police, stressing that they were one of the best in world but being hampered by underfunding.
He said that he would continue to drum support for proper funding of police at the National Assembly for the security personnel to bring out their best in the discharge of their duties.
The lawmaker said that he was surprised at the wanton destruction of property during the EndSARS protest, saying that this prompted his promise to rebuild the police station.
“I initially budgetted N7 million but eventually spent N12 million for the project. I personally bankrolled it and not a constituency project, as being rumoured in some quarters.
“The rebuilding of this police station is in fulfillment of my promise to ensure security of lives and property of my constituents.
“Nigerian police are one of the best in the world but improper funding is responsible for not bringing out their best in terms of security, but I will continue to call for proper funding of the police at the National Assembly,” he said
Tofowomo, however, solicited for the support of constituents for his second term bid, promising that more projects and empowerment programmes would be on the way, if he was voted for in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at the occasion, the Area Commander, Okitipupa LGA, ACP Jimoh Salau, thanked the senator for rebuilding the police station, saying that it had brought great relief to the police.
Salau said that the council area had been experiencing security challenges since the burning of the police station, thus slowing down their operation.
“We thank you for restoring our hope. We only have few people who can do this. On behalf of the police, I thank you for this laudable feat,” Salau said.
NAN reports that police officers, PDP members, traditional rulers, youths and other members of the area graced the occasion. (NAN)
