The Gombe State Government has commissioned a newly constructed 10-bedroom National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) lodge and an upgraded dispensary at Malam Sidi in Kwami Local Government Area of the state.
The projects were executed under the Nigerian Navy’s Civil-Military Quick Intervention Projects, facilitated by Rear Admiral Sulaiman Haruna Abdullahi.
Commissioning the facilities on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, commended the Nigerian Navy for supporting community development through targeted interventions.
Jatau said the projects would contribute to improving the welfare of residents and corps members posted to the area for national service.
He said the interventions were consistent with the state government’s efforts to improve security and living conditions across Gombe since the administration assumed office in 2019.
The deputy governor listed other Nigerian Navy interventions in the state to include a health facility and solar-powered borehole at Wuro Dole, a solar-powered borehole at Dungaje Mona in Balanga Local Government Area and three solar-powered boreholes at Jeka da Fari.
He also welcomed the proposed establishment of the 27 Armoured Brigade and its subordinate units in Gombe, including the 271 Tank Battalion in Bajoga and the 272 Tank Battalion in Kaltungo.
Jatau expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Navy for supporting development and security initiatives in the state.
He urged residents to take ownership of the projects and ensure that the facilities were properly maintained.
The deputy governor stressed that the health facility should provide services to all members of the community without discrimination based on social status, ethnicity or religion.
Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral Mohammad Yakubu Dahiru, said the Nigerian Navy recognised community development as an important component of its civil-military relations.
He said the Civil-Military Quick Intervention Projects were designed to strengthen relations between the Nigerian Navy, government and communities while supporting national development.
Earlier, the project facilitator, Rear Admiral Abdullahi, thanked the Chief of Naval Staff for approving the intervention in his community.
He said the 10-bedroom furnished NYSC lodge was inspired by Jatau and would provide accommodation for corps members serving in the area.
Abdullahi said the renovated and upgraded dispensary, formerly an Area Health Office dating back to the colonial era, would provide healthcare services to residents of Malam Sidi and surrounding communities.
He urged residents to protect and maintain the facilities.
In a goodwill message, retired Commissioner of Police Abdullahi Yerima described the projects as an important intervention for the community and appealed to the Nigerian Navy to consider establishing a secondary school in the area.
He also identified the Malam Sidi River, about 10 kilometres from the town, as a potential tourist attraction.
The Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area, the Senior District Head of Kwami, Alhaji Aminu Haruna Abdullahi, and a Board Member of the Malam Sidi Progressive Association, Mr Abubakar Sa’ad, also commended the Nigerian Navy for the intervention.
The commissioning was followed by an inspection of the facilities and a symbolic tree-planting exercise.
