In a bid to ease the acute accommodation problems faced by personnel in Abuja and in order to sustain high morale of personnel and their families even after retirement, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has performed a ground breaking Ceremony of Army Command Estate, Asokoro NAPL Housing Development Phase 2 Abuja.
Army Chief at the ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday, 21 February 2023 said, he was impressed with the progress of infrastructure work at the Phase 1 and the Low Density Layout of the Army Command Estate within the short period, hence he embarked on this Phase 2 of this lifesaving project, and a brand new barracks as part of the Army Command Estate Asokoro.
He noted that this is one of the mass housing projects embarked upon by other Nigerian Army business establishments across the country for the benefit of both Service personnel and the general public.
The Army Chief said, it gladdening to note that due to the introduction of reasonable discounts by the Army authorities in favour of the personnel, the programme will no doubt assuage the housing challenges usually faced after retirement.
While reiterating his vision for the Nigerian Army which is “To build a Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Mission within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria” said the Vision is centred on 4 cardinal pillars; namely Professionalism, Readiness, Administration and Cooperation.
He stressed that, the attainment of the vision depends on decisive psychological influence on personnel’s willingness to fight, which is achievable through adequate concern for their welfare. This entails a sound administration through purposeful welfare programmes for personnel and members of their families.
"This belief has partly informed my drive in the construction and rehabilitation of numerous facilities across Nigerian Army formations and units which ranges from accommodation, office complexes, training schools and other support facilities in the Barracks.
"A physical example is the brand new barracks which we are presently building as part of the Army Command Estate Asokoro. This barracks when completed will accommodate both officers and soldiers and will go along way to ease the acute accommodation problems faced by personnel in Abuja.
The Army Chief commended the management of Nigerian Army Properties Limited for this giant stride and the efforts in ensuring the long awaited housing development despite all the challenges faced by the Company in the past.
"I am now confident that NAPL is fully back. I therefore wish to reiterate that the Nigerian Army Properties Limited should ensure that this project is executed in line with global best practice.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, the Group Managing Director and CEO NAPL, Brigadier General IA Doma (Rtd) said, the Army Command Estate, Asokoro will consist of 700 Houses of different categories, with 45 hectares of land set aside for Army Barracks for the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
Retired General Doma noted that the housing development phase 2 was the initiative of the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya with the assistance of the former COAS, Ambassador Lt General Tukur Buratai (Rtd) directive leadership.
In his word, the Managing Director, Continental and Civil Construction Company, Mr Oyedele Adeniyi reassured the Nigerian Army of his commitment for the project after raising enough funds to execute it.
He said, the project had began in December 2022 and 8 bridges have been converted and completed. He commended the professionalism of the Chief of Army Staff and principal staff officers for their incorruptible minds towards awarding credible projects.
SpyeTV News report that the ground breaking ceremony took place after the Chief of Army Staff commissioned an edifice for the Headquarters Directorate of Legal Services at Asokoro.
At the commissioning of the newly constructed Headquarters Directorate of Legal Services (Army), the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, commissioned to properly position the Directorate to provide the needed conducive environment for effective service delivery in support of the Nigerian Army.
The Army Chief stressed that over time, the Directorate of Legal Service has grown and distinguished itself in the temple of justice. He added that the effort of the Directorate in providing timely and balanced legal advice and services contributed to the overall drive of the NA in carrying out her constitutional responsibilities within the ambit of the law.
Earlier, the Director of Legal Services, Major General Mahmood Wambai said, this would align the Directorate globally for better effectiveness. "It is trite that to whom much is given, much more is expected. Sir, this New Headquarters Office Complex provides a serene working environment for officers and soldiers of the Directorate.
"I assure you that it will be utilized to attract visionary minds and idealistic conversations from around the globe to stimulate critical thinking and legal problem solving skills which will enhance and uphold the refining of our Military Justice System", he noted.
General Wambai said, the DLS (A)’s primary role is rendering legal advice based on the rule of law to the COAS and Commanders at all levels, including officers and men of the Nigerian Army. This is in addition to other specific vital roles. The Directorate continues to uphold its professional obligations in line with extant Nigerian Army regulations and the rule of law. This is inspired by the COAS’ vision “To have a Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.
In attendance was the former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai rtd, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, Vice Chairman Nigerian Army Properties Limited Lt Gen Lamidi Adeosun rtd, Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters and former Directors of the Directorate. Also present at the event are the Group Managing Directors of the Services Properties Limited, Managing Director of Continental Civil and General Construction Company, among several other distinguished guests.
