The Nigerian Army still faces an active shortage of accommodation, as about 40 percent of Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated which must be addressed as troops continue to defeat insecurity nationwide and reintegrate frontline troops into the barracks.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede disclosed this today, at the commissioning of the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.
The project comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Brigadier General Quarters, 3 by 20 Family Major to Colonel Quarters, 30 by 20 Family Lieutenant to Captain Quarters, and 60 by 30 Family Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters. Others are 6 by 30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40 by 21 Corporal and Below Quarters.
"The Idu project will not only cater for the post-service housing needs of our personnel, but will clearly reduce the housing demands by active service allotted serving in Abuja.
The COAS said, like the Oliver Twist, the Nigerian Army will continue to seek further interventions to make more modern accommodations available to its personnel, to alleviate the shortage across the entire country.
He therefore thanked the President who has shown great passion for ensuring that men and women in uniform have affordable, decent, and befitting accommodation to live while in service. "Relatedly, Mr. President has continued to support our efforts as a welfare scheme for our personnel.
He pledged the Army's unflinching support to President Tinubu's administration in its effort to improve the country's socio-economic and security fortune.
In his remarks, the special guest of honour, President Bola Tinubu stressed that the barracks project aligns with the Federal government's commitment to enhancing troops' welfare, including providing adequate office and residential accommodation.
"Knowing that the federal government is always ready to provide, what our troops need to fulfil their mandates is essential for winning battles. You are our heroes and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country.
President Tinubu who commended the Chief of Army Staff for his foresight in developing the remarkable barracks for courageous men and women, appreciated the officers and personnel who contributed in various ways to the timely completion of this project. "
"Your welfare cannot and will not compromise on it. We will continue to commit resources to improve your welfare. What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable, is appreciated and the only way we can show this is a continued support for men and women in our uniform. I congratulate all of you on this historic commissioning, making it a reality.
"What we must do is continuous development with right maintenance and commitment to the welfare of our men and women in the uniform." he said
Lt General Oluyede also said the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks also has three worship centers, sports facilities, and a powerhouse. The external infrastructure includes the perimeter fence with 15 entrance gates, gatehouses, umbrellas, groundwater supply facilities, access road networks, and hard and soft landscaping, all constructed to the highest standards. Although this seems huge, but with the scale of accommodation deficits the Nigerian Army faces in Abuja, this is only but just a drop in the ocean.
Dignitaries at the commissioning includes, the Minister of Defence, Deputy Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Security Adviser, Chairmam Senate Committee on Army, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, former Chiefs of army staff, President DEPOWA, NAOWA and NASWA members, and senior officers of the Nigerian Army.