Derabassi (SAS Nagar), July 2:- The High Commissioner of Namibia, Wing Commander (Retd.) Alex L. Tukupwele, accompanied by First Secretary Tangeni H. Mulunga, visited the Punjab Home Guards Canine Training and Breeding Institute (PHG-CTBI) at (Vill. Sundra) Derabassi, SAS Nagar.
The visit was aimed at exploring the Institute's capabilities in training dogs for narcotics detection, explosive detection, tracking and anti-poaching operations. The Namibian Government is planning to procure trained dogs and have its handlers trained at the Institute.
Mr. Newton Sidhu, Manager of the Punjab Government's Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-run Punjab Home Guards Canine Training and Breeding Institute, said that PHG-CTBI has trained more than 418 dogs and handlers to date. These trained canine units are currently serving with various Central Armed Police Forces, paramilitary forces and State Police organisations across India.
He informed that the Namibian Government plans to initially procure four trained dogs and train eight handlers at the Institute. Additional dogs and handlers from Namibia are also proposed to undergo training in subsequent phases.
Mr. Sidhu further said that the project is expected to generate revenue of nearly USD 2 million for the Punjab Government while also creating employment opportunities for local Punjabi youth. He added that seven other countries from South America and Africa are also in touch with the Institute for similar canine training programmes.