Buratai charges commanders on personnel welfare

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged Commanders of Army Formations and Units nationwide to give attention to the welfare of personnel under their command.
Buratai, who gave the charge after he inaugurated four blocks of 36 flats for soldiers in the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army barracks, Akim BarracksCalabar, said welfare was important for the personnel and their families.

He recalled that he directed in November, 2016 that befitting houses be built for the soldiers after he found that they had been living in make shift structures otherwise known as “Bacha.”
Gen. Buratai said make shift structures were not pleasant for soldiers to live in, recalling how uncomfortable it was for him when he lived in such structure as senior officer in Lagos between 1988 and 1990.
Buratai said he had directed that all the make shift structures in the barracks be demolished for the construction of befitting accommodation for the soldiers.

He said similar exercise was ongoing in barracks across the country.
The COAS said the Nigerian Army was also committed to the education of its personnel, hence the recent reduction in school fees and rehabilitation ofstructures of Commands Schools across the country.
He said military hospitals across the country would also be giving adequate attention to ensure that they maintain standard to cater for health of personnel and their families.

He commended the Brigade Commander for his leadership and judicious utilization of the fund for the project.
Meanwhile, Cross River Government has donated N20 million to provide furniture in the 36 flats and others to be constructed in the barracks.
Gov. Ben Ayade, who witnessed the inauguration of the houses, announced the donation.

Ayade also said the state government would also construct one block of flats in the barrack for soldiers.
He said soldiers, who lay down their lives for others to live should be accommodated in decent houses.
Earlier in his address, the Commander 13 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, thanked the army chief for approving and release fund for the project.
Biu said initially, the soldiers did not believe that the project would come to reality, having lived in the bacha all along

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