The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has sought for partnership with the Nigeria Police to reactivate all police vehicles nationwide.

In the proposal, NASENI said it intends to reactivate and convert the police vehicles to cleaner energy.

The Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, made the offer on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General Police, Olukayode Egbetokun.

He said the central role of the Nigeria police was to secure lives and property, which is heavily dependent on the availability of vehicles and other transportation assets.

Mr Halilu said the transportation assets were necessary for prompt response to security emergencies.

“Under the terms of this engagement with NASENI, we will mobilise financing and technical knowhow needed to accomplish two primary objectives. To upgrade and modernise the Nigeria Police vehicle maintenance workshops nationwide and to repair, recover and reactivate all police vehicles assets that are no longer operational.

“For us at NASENI, even though we are not a security agency, we understand that we have a role to play in enhancing national security in line with the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government,” he said.

According to him, the partnership will positively impact on the ability and capacity of the Nigeria Police to do their work of protecting lives and property in the country.

Mr Halilu said with the partnership, NASENI would support Nigeria’s climate action and ensure the conversion of the vehicles from petrol and diesel to cleaner forms electric vehicles and CNG-powered vehicles.

“We will support local content efforts by prioritising the use of locally manufactured components and materials. We will create new jobs and skill acquisition opportunities in the course of implementation of the collaboration.

“The revamped workshop will be managed in a manner that will make it possible to generate surplus income that will fund ongoing maintenance of the police,” he added.

In his remarks, the IG commended the NASENI boss for the visit, adding that it signified a collaboration that would impact positively on the operations of the Nigeria Police.

“I am excited with your offer of collaboration to convert police vehicles to cleaner energy use and I look forward to the collaboration being a reality,” he said.

Mr Egbetokun pledged to support NASEN in the area of security to enable it deliver on its mandate.

(NAN)