The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd), has inaugurated residential accommodation for the soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army at Muhammad Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.
The cantonment which has 1.5km access road network,3kv generator for alternative public power supply,adequate water also has 150 flats located along zuba express road in FCT Abuja to ease the inadequacy of living accommodation of the its personnel.
In the inauguration ceremony, the minister of Defence, Magashi said the provision of befitting accommodation for personnel of Nigerian armed forces was in line with the next level agenda of Buhari’s administration to improve welfare of personnel.
Magashi who was the special Guest of Honour also said government was committed to supporting the Nigerian army to provide more accommodation within the barracks, adding that provision had been made in the monists 2020 budget.
The minister also pledged the government determination of addressing the welfare needs of personnel of armed forces as well as, supporting it’s laudable programme.
“I am very optimistic that the 150 flats commissioned today will reduce the burden of accommodation you have been facing as well as enable personnel to focus on enhanced operational efficiency.
“The conceptualisation of Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment in Giri is in line with the next level agenda of the present administration by enhancing welfare packages of personnel through the provision of adequate office and residential accommodations for the armed forces.
More so, it is with the knowledge that the government is ever ready to provide the tools that the troops require to fulfil their mission is a great factor in winning battle.
“In addition, the morale component of fighting power is boosted by improving troops’ welfare and their morale.
“The completion of the 150 flats accommodation for officers and soldiers of Nigerian army shows the relentless effort of the government to improving the welfare of troops and by extension, the morale component of the fighting force of Nigerian army,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said because of inadequate and deteriorating effect of the accommodation facilities in the country and the FCT, there was every need to embark on the project in 2017 to address the challenge of the welfare of it’s personnel most especially in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Buratai said that there was nexus between efficiency and conducive environment, adding that the new blocks of accommodation in the barracks had addressed the housing needs of 150 families of officers and soldiers.
Buratai further solicited for the intervention of the Minister in providing more accommodation and other intervention programmes across the country through his ministry
He also urged the personnel to reciprocate the gesture by offering effective service by implementing his strategic direction for the year 2020.
According to him, the project was captured in the capital budget of 2018 for construction in the Cantonment to ameliorate the challenges of acute shortage of accommodation facing the personnel.
“To address the office and accommodation challenges in Abuja, I tasked the Headquarters of Nigerian Army Engineers and the Nigerian Army Special Project coordinator to commence the construction of infrastructures in the cantonment.
This was based on my conviction that there is a nexus between efficiency and environment from where men live and work.
“In that vain, to have a professionally and responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, requires having a befitting office and residential accommodation, “ he said.
Recalled that the project had its ground breaking ceremony in 10th July ,2017.
The Muhammadu Buhari cantonment had so far have some occupants including the Nigerian Army Women Corps, Nigerian Army Aviation, Cyber Warfare Command, Nigerian Army Ranch among others.