Lakeside Estate inaugurates police post, IGP calls for more private support

The management of Agri-Cattle Lakeside Estate Limited has handed over a newly built police post to the police command in a bid to boost the security situation at the estate.

The initiative forms part of celebrations marking 40 years of operating in the country. Salah Kalmoni, Director of Japan Motors and Lakeside Estate in his speech noted that the company started operations in 1974 as a sister company of Japan Motors specialising in meeting the agriculture need of the country boosted by the recognition former president I.K Acheampong gave founder of the company.

“With time, the company ventured into property development and is pleased by successes chalked over the years, recently the company was given the Property Developer of the year (lower income) and Property Personality of the Year awards at the Ghana Property Awards” the Lakeside Estate Director added.

Taking corporate social responsibility seriously the Mr. Kalmoni disclosed that management has provided in addition to the police post built a new library, land to the Ghana Fire Service for a fire post as well as land to the GPRTU for a lorry station to ease the transportation challenge of residents.

Inspector General of Police Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan who was the guest of honour commended the Lakeside Estate team for the initiative adding that because of scarce resources and competing needs government is constrained in providing every need of the people hence private and successful people and businesses need to emulate the Lakeside Estate example so the society advances.

He further called on the police offices detailed to the post to work hard and eschew indiscipline but rather honour their vow to protect and serve.

Managing Director of Lakeside Estate Limited Prince Joseph Ayiku stated that having been in the industry for 14 years the Lakeside Estate management realizes that community policing has become imperative because there is need for the public and police to work in partnership to ensure development and limit crime.

He stated the police post stands on an area of 1,175 square metres while the building itself covers a floor space of 164.301 square metres with room for future accommodation quarters for personnel who man the post.

“The police post which has a charge office, a female cell with toilet facilities, a male cell with toilet facilities, a CID office, an exhibit store, bathroom and changing rooms for officers and a commander’s office cost 450,000 Ghana cedis to build” Mr. Ayiku disclosed.

The Accra Regional Police Command DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno expressed joy at the sight of the police station noting also that routine patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations, periodic swoops and cultivation of informants have helped to keep land guards at bay and limit violent attacks.

Group Chairman of Japan Motors Salem Kalmoni for his part donated a generator to help power the station in times of power cuts.