FG PLEDGES TO BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURAL GAP IN MILITARY FORMATIONS

FG PLEDGES TO BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURAL GAP IN MILITARY FORMATIONS

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to bridging the infrastructural gap in military formations.

The Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Olorunimbe Mamora made this known recently during the commissioning and handing over of the Jetty and Shoreline Protection facilities at under water warfare, school, Ojo, Lagos state.

Mamora said that the intervention executed by Ecological Fund Office was to tackle the menace of erosion and other ecological challenges in the school, adding that it would also enhance the professional competencies of the officers and men of the service and by extension stimulate their aggressive drive to secure the country against criminal act and security challenges confronting the nation.

“It is also very instructive that the modern Military Institution requires such intervention in order to respond to the emerging trend and sophistication in modern warfare in addressing the security challenges retarding our growth and nation building”. The Minister said.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awal Gambo, said that the efficient and effective projection of the sea powered by maritime forces was dependent on the physical configuration of the harbours and Jetties connecting the sea with land. Gambo was optimistic that the shoreline protection and restoration of the jetty by the Federal Government would no doubt enhance Nigeria Navy Maritime security operation, assuring that the Navy town would take ownership by ensuring its maintenance and sustainability.

While appreciating the Federal Government for considering the Nigerian Navy as a suitable beneficiary of the project, the Chief of Naval staff also requested for additional berthing to facilitate a safe and unhindered use of the jetty, revealing that the only hindrance was the non completion of berthing facilities from the approaches of Badagry creek.

“Additionally, I will urge further intervention in the area of the shoreline protection from the current 80meters to at least another 400meters to cover up to the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre and the Special Camp which is currently nearing completion. This way, the Federal Government of Nigeria will have had returns of the resources committed to the project and greatly invigorate Nigeria Navy’s response and capacity against the criminal element at sea” He said.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Dr. Habiba Lawal, said that the Federal Government had received a number of requests regarding the need and desirability of embarking on the project as a result of imminent danger posed by the devastating recurring erosion and flooding that had been threatening the lives and property of the area.

Dr.Lawal represented by the Director of Drought, Desertification and Coastal Zone Management department revealed that the risk of Shoreline erosion and its negative consequences necessitated the prompt intervention of the Federal Government in effecting a holistic approach to the control and flooding that would stand the test of time and address the issue of shoreline erosion menace caused by high ocean current/tidal waves over the years.

She noted that the project intervention would provide succor to the communities whose lives and properties were in danger, urging the school Authorities and the habitants to ensure that the Jetty and Shoreline protection work was well guarded.

She extended her appreciation to the school for their hospitality which culminated into a hitch free execution of the project. She commended the contractor and the consultant for their collaboration which contributed in the successful completion of the project.

Highlight of the event included cutting of tape and presentation of certificate to the school management.

The minister of State for Health,Dr.Adeleke Mamora,(M) and others unveiling the commissioning plaque.

Ikake Emmanuel

Information officer