ABUJA — The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, acknowledged that the Public Security Communications System, NPSS, project has enhanced the capacity of the Police in tackling crime.

The IG spoke during an official visit by the Chairman of the National People’s Congress, NPC, of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr Zhang Dejiang, to the Command Switch Centre of the NPSS.

His words: “There is no doubt about the importance of this project to the protection of lives and property.

“We are delighted about the progress of this project, we are committed to the project and this is the first step as we will continue to improve on our infrastructure.”

The IG however, pointed out that with the growing influence of China on the African continent and “the enormity of this project, in the domestication of this project, it is suggested that the best way to do so is by establishing a telecommunication industry whose products will serve not just the region but also the continent in general.”

The $470 million NPSS project, which was executed by Chinese communications firm, ZTE, is a multi-faceted high tech infrastructure for e-policing and public safety.

Earlier, chairman of ZTE Corporation, Mr. Hou Weigui disclosed  that the company has maintained presence in Nigeria  for about 10 years now, saying, “we continuously keep focus  on service delivery, customer care, creativeness and brand building.

“NPSCS project has not only been supported tremendously by the Chinese government, but has also been given great co-operation from the Nigerian government.

“The  project has assisted in reducing crime rate, enhanced police operation of protecting lives and property,” Mr. Hou Weigui added.

The Chairman further explained that , the GOTA technology developed and deployed by ZTE, is a global leader in professional trunking standards” accepted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and  currently in use in over 40 countries.

In his presentation ZTE Nigeria Liminted  Managing Director, Mr. Hao Fuqiang , explained how the CCTV cameras of the project has assisted in resolving  several criminal and terrorism  cases including the foiling another suicide  bomb attack on the police headquarters.

The visiting Zhang Dejiang expressed delight about the project saying it is a futher demonstration of the win-win relationship between Nigeria and China.

Other personalities in the delegation include Dejiang’s wife, Xin Shusen; Chinese Ambassador Nigeria, Deng Boqing and  Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Igwe Paulinus Nwagu.