–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike Sogbola:
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has assured the Nigerian Army (NA) of its desire and unwavering commitment to repairing roads and other critical infrastructure destroyed as a result of insurgency in North-East.
Its Chairman Governing Board, Maj Gen
Paul Tarfa (rtd), gave the assurance while receiving the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, and some principal officers of the Army, who paid a courtesy call to the Commission’s office in Abuja today the 12th of November 2019.
According to Gen Tarfa, the leadership of the Army has done a lot in terms of the war against terrorism and insurgency as well as rehabilitating and constructing important infrastructure and other basic amenities that were totally destroyed or affected by Boko Haram terrorists in the last ten years.
While welcoming the COAS, and his delegation, the Chairman, said his commission will support and offer necessary assistance to officers and men of the Army, in a bid to ensure that they effectively prosecute the war against insurgency which is for the common good for all Nigerians.
“The Nigerian Military, especially the Army, is one of our strategic partners in the North-East.
“Indeed, we appreciate the good work the Army is doing in the areas of security, rehabilitating several obsolete amenities and damaged infrastructural facilities.
“It is heartwarming that most of the facilities and buildings, have been rebuilt and new ones constructed by the Army, at several affected communities across the North East Zone.
“These kind gestures done by the Army leadership, have tremendously assisted the traumatized and affected people of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and other parts of the North-East.
“Once again, we sincerely appreciate what you and your team are doing. And we want to assure you that we will partner with you, and assist you in diverse ways,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, Lt Gen Buratai, said their visit to the Commission is the beginning of good, and beneficial relationship between the Army and NEDC.
He noted that both the Commission and the Army have and are pursuing common national interests and goals, hence there is need for a robust partnership in order to actualize the laudable objectives of the commission.
The COAS, who described members of the recently-established Commission as men of impeccable integrity and exceptional administrative pedigree, disclosed that the collapse of several infrastructure in the North-East is impacting negatively on the Army’s operations.
He said: “There are several infrastructure that have been damaged beyond repair in the North-East as a result of Boko Haram’s insurgency.
“On the other hand, several of our military barracks are also dilapidated, and urgently require speedy renovations works to be done on them. Also the families/widows that are left behind by our deceased colleagues require some form of incentives to pursue a worthy meaningful means of livelihood.
“As such, the Commission should strive and look into the problem of collapsed infrastructure in the North-East, especially roads and housing as well as the condition of widows in the Barracks.
“There is need for fundamental steps to be taken to repair the collapsed roads, and other facilities, so as to assist troops prosecute the counter-insurgency war and also decimate the remaining terrorists.”
All the Executive Directors and other members of the commission/Board were present during the visit.
Lt Gen LO Adeosun the Chief of Policy and Plans Army, Commander Engineers Corps Maj Gen JS Malu, Chief of Logistics Army, Maj Gen JI Unuigbe, Coordinator Special duties Office of the Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen SA Yaro and Maj Gen KO Kadiri Group Managing Director Nigerian Army Welfare Ltd/Guaranty also blessed the occasion.
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Others are – Commander Budget and accounts of the Nigerian Army Maj Gen AR Bakare, Corps Commander Ordnance Maj Gen OA Akintade, representatives of the Chief of Military Intelligence and Provost Marshall ‘Army’ Brig Gens A Yellow Duke and ME John Okon respectively.
