Fubara Hands over Constructed Residential Quarters to NAF

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially handed over the residential building constructed by the state government for the officers of the Nigerian Air Force.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the building at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Governor Fubara explained that the aim of  building the residential quarters  was to enable his administration complement the efforts of the military and the federal government in providing welfare support to servicemen. 

Governor Fubara also explained that the housing facility, started in 2017, and reviewed from N212million to N454million,  demonstrates a modest contribution to the Air Force personnel in appreciation of the existing mutual collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.

 He said the realisation of the project is a commitment of his administration to ensure that the derivable benefits of the project are accessed by NAF officers.

 Fubara said: “This project that we are inaugurating  today did not start in our administration. It was conceived in 2017, and it wasn’t completed. 

 “But our government came in and we were approached, and knowing the importance of the welfare of the officers of the Air Force, knowing full well that when they are comfortable, they will perform effectively, we executed it.

 “Like the contractor said, the project was initiated in 2017 at the cost of N212million. For one reason or the other, it wasn’t completed. When we came on board, we had to review it, and it was valued at over N454million. We felt what is N454million to the support that we are getting from the Nigerian Air Force?”

Governor Fubara emphasised the need for the state government’s support not to be restricted to communities of electorate alone but to institutions that play critical roles in the protection of lives and property, while also advancing the interest of the state.

He stated that the  facility will contribute to the housing comfort of personnel, enhance their performance and productivity.

 Governor Fubara assured  the people that his administration will continue to extend support to all security agencies to strengthen collaboration towards protection of national economy and assets, while also frustrating oil thieves.

 “It is not only Mr President that will carry this burden. We, in our little corner, are also supposed to contribute to the welfare of these officers.”

He added that his administration is committed to making the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF more attractive and to become an envy of others.

 Governor Fubara further assured the people  that already, other requests of the Base to the state government were being considered, and will be eventually addressed in the characteristics manner of his administration as listening and supporting government.

He added: “We use their (NAF) airstrip; they are also part of the joint task force that are securing lives and property in Rivers State. We said this is the little thing that we can do and that was why the government immediately approved and released the said amount.” 

 Performing the inauguration, Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, described the project as a demonstration of the commitment to the welfare of NAF personnel and a testament to the strong partnership that exists between Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Air Force. 

 Abubakar said the project is very significant because it will undoubtedly have positive impact on the quality of life of NAF personnel and their families, boost morale, and also promote civil-military cooperation while contributing to the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force.

In his welcome address, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore Ali Idris, said the housing facility represents an exemplary leadership of Governor Fubara to improve the welfare of NAF personnel, enhance their operational readiness and strategically strengthen partnership towards crime fighting in the State.