Fubara unveils NAF housing project, assures security agencies of support
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said no amount of support for the security agencies is enough for the protection of lives, property and national assets.
This is as Fubara explained that the residential building constructed by the state government for officers of the Nigerian Air Force was to enable his administration to complement the efforts of the military and the federal government in providing welfare support to the servicemen.
The governor also said that the housing facility started in 2017 and reviewed from N212 million to N454 million, demonstrating a modest contribution to the Air Force personnel in appreciation of the existing mutual collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.
Fubara stated this at the inauguration of two blocks of 12 flats each of 2-bedroom NAF prototype residential buildings for the Nigerian Air Force at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.
He said the eventual realisation of the project speaks to the commitment of his administration to ensure that the deriveable benefits of the project are accessed by NAF officers.
The Governor said, “This project that we are commissioning 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.
“As 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 N454 million. We felt what is N454million to the support that we are getting from the Nigerian Air Force?”
Fubara emphasised the need for the state government’s support not to be restricted to communities of the 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 housing facility will contribute to the housing comfort of personnel and enhance their performance and productivity.
He assured that his administration will continue to extend support to all security agencies to strengthen collaboration towards the protection of the national economy and assets, while also frustrating oil thieves.
He said, “We are here to say, as a government, our support is not only to those who elected (voted for) us, and those communities that we have to oversee their welfare. But we also have to contribute and support the agencies which also protect lives and property in our State.
“We have a very difficult situation in our hands, where we are battling the cases of oil theft; we have the cases of vandalisation of our oil pipelines. These are men who are always flying to ensure that those national treasures are secured.
“Our little contribution to their welfare can just be there. I consider it not much, but just a little thing that we can do to appreciate the sacrifices they are making for us. 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 said his administration is committed to making the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF more attractive and to becoming the envy of others.
Fubara further assured that already, other requests of the Base to the State Government were being considered, and would 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 is 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. And what we are seeing today is the realisation of commitment, not just verbal, but seeing it to the end. So, it is just an event to say, our government will continue to support all the security agencies in our dear State. Our government will continue to collaborate with them to protect lives and property.
“Our duty is to provide services, protect lives and property, ensure that we support the government at the centre for effective governance, to make our people happy, that is what I believe and that is what I stand for. I assure you that we will work with your boss to make this base, 115 Special Operations Group more attractive. Other requests made by the commander, I believe, are already working on them.
“We are doing it because we want this base to enjoy an effective operational system. We want this base to see itself as the envy of all bases in Nigeria because you have a government that listens and supports.”
Performing the inauguration, Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Bala 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 a 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.
He said, “Indeed, we are deeply indebted to the Rivers State Government for the kindness and commitment to our well-being for nearly six decades.
“As the saying goes, ‘One good turn deserves another’, and Nigerian Air Force has reciprocated by contributing towards the peace and security of the State, primarily through air operations against illegal oil bunkering. This has helped sustain the economic lifeline of the State and created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“We have also allowed the Rivers State Government unfettered access to our airfield facilities, while also providing security and handling services for the State-owned aircraft free of charge. This mutual cooperation exemplifies a strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Rivers State Government,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Base, Port Harcourt, Air Commodore Ali H. Idris, said the housing facility represents an exemplary leadership of Fubara to improve the welfare of NAF personnel, enhance their operational readiness and strategically strengthen partnership towards crime fighting in the State.
Describing the project, state Commissioner for Special Duties, Rowland Obed-Whyte, said the 2-blocks of 12 flats of 2 bedrooms each is a monumental project that has been conclusively completed after it was abandoned when it started in 2017.
