Promoting Sustainable Policing the Sahara Group Foundation Way 

  Since 2019, Sahara Group Foundation has been promoting sustainable policing through police station renovations, solar systems upgrade, and building of infrastructure with equipment. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that so far, they have overhauled seven police stations in Lagos, Rivers and Delta States, with many more in the pipeline 

At Sahara Group Foundation, they believe in walking the talk and this they have continuously lived out through hundreds of corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects they carry out.

From academic, environmental and health interventions to building and equipping the Nigeria Police Force, the foundation always aims to drive impact. 

Promoting Sustainable Development

The vision of Sahara Foundation, which drives Sahara Group’s Personal and Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) initiatives, is to promote activities targeting sustained (impact driven) societal wellbeing and touching lives through transformative partnerships.

At the foundation, its key commitment pillars for all interventions, include – Increase Access to Energy and Sustainable environments.

Overhaul of Police Stations 

Since  2019, the foundation has been promoting sustainable policing through police station renovations, solar systems upgrade, and building of infrastructure with equipment. 

So far, they have overhauled seven police stations in Lagos, Rivers and Delta States, with many more in the pipeline. The police stations include MMA1 (Beesam) Police Station Lagos, 

Ijora Police Station Lagos, Trinity Police Station Lagos, Onne Police Station Rivers, Ijede Police Station Lagos, 

Koko Police Station Delta, and

Ipaja Police Station Lagos. Why police stations one may ask? According to the Board, they had in 2021 identified the need to support police stations in a bid to boost operations and promote better policing. Walking the talk, they kicked off one police station at a time. 

Ijede’s Renovation 

On January 30, 2023, the foundation in collaboration with Egbin Power commissioned the newly revamped Ijede Police Station in Ijede community, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

According to the duo, the project is in keeping with 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 organisation operates. 

He said the initiative, which is part of their strategy at Egbin Power Plc to be closer to the communities where they operate, understands that the police are a vital part of the stakeholders in the society, thus their effort needs to be appreciated to support them in discharging their duties and make a difference.

Ejiro Gray, the Director, Sustainability and Governance, Sahara Group noted that  the project reinforces the foundation’s commitment to improving lives and promoting sustainable societies.

“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.”

While acknowledging the efforts of the benefactors, the Lagos State Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) DCP Ewah Bassey, pledged adequate maintenance, as well as continue to render better security to the communities.

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. 

Promoting Efficiency at Ipaja 

At Ipaja Police Division, Nigeria’s leading Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), through the foundation, built and commissioned a brand-new travelers lodge for police officers in transit.

The project is in line with IE’s commitment to impacting the environment where she operates through sustainable interventions that helps to make a positive difference in the society. 

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Folake Soetan, the Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric said the new traveler’s lodge would help to boost the morale of the police officers in the station. Therefore, promoting efficiency, as well as an enabling environment for them.

The Ipaja Police Station travelers’ lodge features a range of facilities and amenities, including a two- room hostel block with lavatory and kitchen fittings, overhead tank for water supply, wardrobes, reading tables and chairs. 

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, DCP Ewah Bassey,  also endorsed the message of collaboration, stating that “achieving effective policing is a collective responsibility.” 

Also speaking at the event, was the Oba of Ipaja, Oba Kolawole Ajani Egundupe, who commended IE and Sahara Group Foundation for this laudable project, stating that it would go a long way to promoting safety in the community. 

He also thanked the officers of the Ipaja Police Divisional Headquarters for their commitment towards safeguarding lives and properties in the community. 

Enhancing Security at MMA1

As part of its measures to boost security and promote sustainable policing nationwide in 2022, Asharami Synergy, a Sahara Group Downstream company, renovated and upgraded the Police Station on Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Ikeja. 

 According to them, the move was to enhance security and sustainable community policing.

Managed by Sahara Foundation, the corporate citizenship vehicle of energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, the project is one of Asharami Synergy’s corporate citizenship initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainable development goals in communities where the company operates.

Essentially, the MMIA Police station received a complete building makeover. The project which was kickstarted in June 2022 required a comprehensive structural overhaul on the main building  including internal and external upgrades, as well as introduction of an inverter and solar panels to ensure the station has uninterrupted power for seamless operations. 

The renovation also included electrical wiring, replacement of the entire roof, windows, and doors, painting, and overhaul of the facility’s toilet systems. 

While Programs Manager, Sahara Foundation, Chisomebi Okoroafor, said the MMIA Police station renovation is one out of several renovation projects currently ongoing across the country, Yemi Odutola, Chief Operating Officer, Asharami Synergy, said the inclusion of solar power is in line with Asharami and Sahara Foundation’s unwavering commitment to promoting access to energy and building sustainable environments.

On why they do what they do, the COO said at the heart of Sahara’s business objectives, lies an unwavering commitment to promoting good corporate citizenship across the globe, which is achieved through the foundation.

Clean Energy at Trinity 
Also in December 2021, Sahara Foundation, provided access to clean energy and improved power supply at the Trinity Police Command, Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos.

The project is expected to enhance efforts aimed at securing lives and property in the neighborhood. Sahara Foundation’s intervention includes a hybrid solar power system solution which supplies power to sections of the police station including the communications center, administrative offices, common areas and control room. In addition, civil, structural and renovation works were conducted at the facility to give it a 21st century and more modern ambience.

This initiative was part of the foundation’s efforts to highlight its new focus areas- Access to Clean Energy and Promoting Sustainable Environments. 

Speaking at the hand over event, Pearl Uzokwe said Sahara Group remained committed to providing platforms for promoting the Sustainable Development Goals working through Sahara Foundation and regional and global stakeholders.

 “Effective policing is essential for sustainable development, and we are delighted to work with the Nigeria Police to boost security of lives and property in Nigeria,” she said.

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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