Lagos State Government has announced plans to construct a forensic lab that will assist police in criminal investigation in the state.
Adebiyi Mabadeje, State Commissioner for Science and Technology, said Wednesday while addressing journalists in Alausa that government had acquired five hectares of land at Gayingbo beach Badagry for the project which he said will serve the entire Africa region.
He said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was ongoing while soil test had been conducted on the project that will be driven by the Public Private Partnership.
According to him, “Considering the priority placed on the security of lives and properties of Lagosians, the State Government is working on the establishment of a forensic science laboratory with a view to complement law enforcement, criminal investigation and judicial system of Lagos, Nigeria in general and West Africa as a whole.
“The objective of the laboratory is to assist in the prosecution of criminal cases by authenticating evidence of prosecutors in other to get conviction. It will also bring about reduction in the cases of unresolved crimes.”
He said the project will be implemented in phases, saying that the first phase, acquisition of land had been completed and compensation paid to the land owners.
Mabadeje said the government was involving the private sector in the implementation of the project due to the huge cost implication, saying the process of conducting an Outline Business Case to make it attractive for private partnership is ongoing.
He also disclosed that all was set for the deployment of 1000 Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) to complement the already installed 1000 CCTVs across the state.
He said the development would further enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering towards efficient security in the state.
He recalled that the existing CCTVs were very instrumental to the effort of the Nigeria Police in apprehending the gang that operated at the Muhammadu Muritala International Airport two years ago.
Adebiyi also hinted that the Science and Technology Ministry had so far equipped 92 Divisional Police stations with Vehicle Exhibits and Information System to help the Police with recovery and return of stolen vehicles to the owners.
The commissioner also informed that the ministry was pioneering a number of ICT collaborations including, PPP on the development of state-wide broadband service, development of an innovation agency/incubation, adoption of $80 million worked-radio/surveillance camera network and setting up of e-learning systems infrastructure to support computer-based JAMB and WAEC exams.