The Nigerian Army has commissioned new accommodation and facilities to address the housing shortage for its personnel.
The project includes 16 quarters for Major Generals, 34 quarters for Brigadier Generals, 60 flats for Majors to Colonels, 60 flats for Lieutenants to Captains, and 180 blocks of flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.
The newly constructed housing project, located in the Asokoro Barracks and named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was commissioned by the President himself. It also features 264 flats for Corporals and below, worship centres, sports facilities, and a powerhouse.
Speaking at the event, which was attended by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, highlighted the scale of the accommodation deficit faced by the Nigerian Army in Abuja.
General Oluyede described the project as “only a drop in the ocean” compared to the housing needs of personnel
He said; “the project is only the phase one and two of the original plan of the entire project” but expressed hope that with the unrelenting support of the President, the phases three and four of the project would be attained in record time to cater for additional housing deficit.
“Naming this new and modern Army Barracks after Mr. President, is just a humble way of giving honour to whom honour is due. It is an appreciation of his extraordinary support and commitment to improving the welfare and operational strength of the Nigerian Army, particularly in reducing its accommodation burden,” General Oluyede explained.
He acknowledged the past Army Chief, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai who ensured the securing of the land, Lieutenant-General Faruq Yahya, retired, who initiated the construction of the Barracks in November 2021 and saw the work to an advanced stage, and the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja who provided additional funding and support to ensure its completion.
He said; “What we showcase here today would not have been possible without the various interventions provided by our dear President, who has shown great passion for ensuring that our men and women in uniform have affordable descent and befitting accommodation to live while in service.”
General Oluyede said there is still a huge gap in accommodation for the Nigerian Army personnel and soldiers which must be addressed as they continue to defeat insecurity nationwide and reintegrate frontline troops into the barracks.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Musa Yar’adwa, Chairman, House Committee on Army, Ministers of Defence, Muhammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, service Chiefs amongst many others.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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