President Bola Tinubu has promised to never compromise on the welfare of troops.
He made the pledge while speaking at the inauguration of the Bola Tinubu Barracks in Abuja.
He said his administration would continue to provide whatever was needed to ease the job of the troops while committing more resources to improve their welfare.
“Knowing that the federal government is always ready to provide what our troops need to fulfil their mandates is essential for winning battles.
“You are our heroes and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country.
“Your welfare cannot and we will not compromise on it. We will continue to commit resources to improve your welfare.
“What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable and appreciated and the only way we can show this is through continued support for men and women in our uniform,” he said.
He charged the troops to ensure adequate maintenance culture to keep the accommodation.
“What we must do is continuous development with right maintenance and commitment to the welfare of our men and women in uniform,” said the president.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede expressed concern that over 40 per cent of Nigerian Army personnel are still without proper accommodation.
He said, “Your Excellency may recall that on the assumption of the office of Chief of Army Staff, one of the critical issues at the table before you was the fact that about 40 per cent of Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated.
“The project being commissioned today is only phases one and two of the original plan.”
Oluyede said the barracks contain a total of 614 accommodations.
He said, “In specific terms, the project comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Beginner General Quarters, 3 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 6 by 30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40 by 21 Corporal and Below Quarters. These 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 includes 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.”
