Sahara Foundation, Egbin Power Upgrade Ijede Police Station To Improve Security, Deepen Sustainability

L-R; HRM Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Adeoriyomi A.O Oyebo (OYEBO 2), Obateru of Egbin Kingdom; Ejiro Gray, Director, Sustainability and Governance, Sahara Group Limited; Mokhtar Bounour, CEO, Egbin Power Plc and DCP Bassey Ewah, DCP Administration, Lagos State at the handing over ceremony of the renovated Ijede Police Station done by Egbin Power through Sahara Foundation.

Egbin Power Plc, working in collaboration with Sahara Foundation, the corporate citizenship vehicle for leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has commissioned the newly revamped Ijede police station in Ijede community, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The project is in keeping with Egbin Power’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure development, socio-economic growth, and effective policing to promote safety and security in the company’s host communities.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, Mokhtar Bounour said the company, through Sahara Foundation, has further demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by making impact in the lives of people and adding value to communities where the organization operates.

He said, “This initiative is part of our strategy at Egbin Power Plc to be closer to the communities where we operate. The Police are a vital part of our stakeholders in the society and we appreciate the effort and resources they apply to deliver adequate security to protect lives and property. We also know they are doing their best to keep people and property safe in our communities. So, through projects of this nature, we will continue to demonstrate our encouragement and support for them in discharging their duties and to make a difference.”

Ejiro Gray, the Director, Sustainability and Governance, Sahara Group Gray thanked the Nigerian Police Force for their support and collaboration during the project, noting that the project reinforces Sahara Foundation’s commitment to improving lives and promoting sustainable societies.

“What we do at Sahara Foundation is to ensure that through initiatives like this, we are transforming and impacting lives and livelihood of people in our host communities. And we cannot talk about making impact without providing adequate security of lives and property which is a core component of the wellbeing of every society and communities. This is one of the ways we are contributing our quota to promoting access to energy, sustainable environment by transforming lives and livelihood at Sahara Foundation, Sahara Group and by extension Egbin Power Plc, she said.”

Gray added that it is expected that the renovation of Ijede police station will contribute to safeguarding lives and properties in the community and further provide a more conducive environment in which the police officers can carry out their duties to society.

While acknowledging the efforts of the benefactors, the Lagos State Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) DCP Ewah Bassey expressed deep appreciation to Sahara Group and Egbin Power Station for the project.

“We want to assure them that what they have done today will be properly maintained and we extend our hands of fellowship to them and the people of these communities. I want to reassure them that we will continue to render better security to the communities.”

He further stated that the project will go a long way in boosting the morale of the officers at the station and supporting the police officers’ effort towards promoting peace and security in the community.

Similarly, HRM, Oba (Dr.) Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, one of the host communities, applauded Egbin Power and Sahara Foundation for enhancing security in the communities through this intervention.

“From the project we have just commissioned today, I want to commend the efforts of the Management of Sahara Group and Egbin Power Plc and appreciate the level of cooperation that exists between the communities, the companies and the Police. I also wish to implore the Police, especially at the Divisional Level here at Ijede to make good use of the laudable project and make sure that the project is sustained and maintained,” the monarch said.

The commissioning of the police station, which took place on Thursday, January 26^th, 2023, had in attendance other representatives from the Nigerian Police Force, staff of Egbin Power, Sahara Foundation, and stakeholders from Ipakan, Ijede and Egbin in communities including Regent of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Aliu;  Baale of Ipakan, Chief Mustapha Lasisi; Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Alogba among other dignitaries.

The Ijede police station renovation is one out of several renovation projects that have been completed by the Sahara Foundation across its host communities. Other beneficiaries include the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Police Station, Trinity Police Command Ibafon, the Pedro and Ajuwon Police Stations, and the Federal Ocean Terminal  (FOT) divisional police station, Onne; with others planned for implementation over the course of the year.

Egbin Power Plc, through Sahara Foundation remains fully committed to bringing energy to life responsibly through sustainable projects and interventions that improve lives and livelihoods across its host communities.