The local government authority (LGA) of Mafa in Borno State boasts a newly renovated and operational police station that will play a key role in improving the community’s security. The facility was completed in 4 months thanks to funding by the European Union (EU) and under the technical supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Fully equipped and powered by a 5 KVA solar-inverter system, the police station houses 40 staff (4 senior police officers, 14 inspectors, and 21 rank and file) who work under the supervision of the Mafa Division Police Officer Mr. Malam Saleh.
“We are very grateful to the EU and UNDP for their contribution. Our new police station will help improve our engagement with Mafa residents and neighboring communities and security in the area", said Mr. Saleh.
The police station is part of a larger local rehabilitation programme, also funded by the EU, which includes various bore holes, and 2 blocks of 10 new market stalls which were built under the UN’s cash-for-work scheme and employed over 100 Mafa residents including 25 women.
“We are proud of this achievement which was completed in a relatively short time, in collaboration with local contractors amidst a very challenging context. It will go a long way towards improving the lives of the local communities”, said UNDP Nigeria engineer Samuel Oricha who supervised trhe project.
Mafa’s police station illustrates UNDP’s sustained efforts to stabilize communities in the region and its focus on improving safety and security, delivering basic services, and providing livelihood options, as announced on 18 July 2019 at the launch of the Regional Stabilization Facility for Lake Chad, an ambitious multi-million dollar fund to scale up the range of stabilization interventions in areas of Lake Chad Basin.
Designed as a rapid response mechanism to help the local authorities curtail the ability of Boko Haram insurgency by restoring and extending effective civilian security; improve the delivery of basic services and livelihoods, the Facility will start operating on 1 September in the 8 affected regions of the 4 riparian countries.