
President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
At the event on Thursday, the president, who was the Special Guest of Honour, expressed appreciation to the personnel of the Nigerian military for their gallantry and sacrifices in securing Nigeria against the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements.
He also expressed joy over the speedy completion of the project which was named after him, and recalled how former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, approached him with a request for support for the project.
He noted that the newly commissioned 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 fulfill their mandates, adding that this is essential for winning battles against insecurity.
“We will continue to commit resources to improve your welfare. What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable, it is appreciated and the only way we can show this is a continued support for our men and women in uniform”, he said.
President Tinubu was accompanied to the event by top government functionaries, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Barau Jibrin; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Director General, Department of the State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, amongst several others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, revealed that about 40 per cent of the Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated, adding that, “the project being commissioned today is only phases one and two of the original plan”.
Giving the specifications of the project, the Army Chief said it comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Brigadier General Quarters, three 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 six by 30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40 by 21 Corporal and Below Quarters.
These, he said translate to accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.
Also provided in these barracks are three worship centres, sports facilities, and a powerhouse.
The external infrastructure include 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, with the scale of accommodation deficits the Nigerian Army faces in Abuja, this is only but just a drop in the ocean”, he stated.