By Victor Akaa.
The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ,Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the newly constructed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks in Asokoro, Abuja, showcasing the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing troops’ welfare.
During the historic unveiling on Thursday, the President expressed his appreciation for the personnel of the Nigerian military, acknowledging their sacrifices and gallantry in securing the country against terrorist activities and other criminal elements.
He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his foresight in developing the remarkable barracks, which aligns with the government’s goal of providing adequate office and residential accommodation for troops.
President Tinubu was accompanied by top government functionaries, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
The President reiterated his commitment to supporting the troops, stating that their welfare cannot and will not be compromised.
He also congratulated the officers and personnel who contributed to the timely completion of the project, emphasizing the importance of continuous development and maintenance to ensure the well-being of the men and women in uniform.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, revealed that the accommodation deficit in the Nigerian Army was a pressing concern, with about 40% of personnel not having access to proper housing.
He stated, “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% of Nigerian Army personnel are not accommodated.”
He explained that the project being commissioned, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, was a significant step towards addressing this issue, but noted that it was only the first phase of a larger plan.
Lieutenant General Oluyede provided a detailed breakdown of the facilities included in the barracks, saying, “The project 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 translate to accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.”
He also highlighted the external infrastructure, including the perimeter fence, gatehouses, umbrellas, groundwater supply facilities, access road networks, and hard and soft landscaping, all constructed to the highest standards.
The Chief of Army Staff emphasized that despite the significant progress made with the completion of the barracks, there was still much work to be done to address the accommodation needs of the Nigerian Army, stating, “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.”
