by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has commissioned a newly constructed 40,000-liter solar-powered borehole in Jebbu Bassa, in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This was part of the activities to mark the Nigerian Army Day, which scheduled to hold in Jos the Plateau State this year. The commissioning of the Nigerian Army Civil Military Cooperation Projects was also held in some parts of Plateau State.
The projects include the Nigerian Army Cimic/QIP Community Remodelled Assembly Hall of Government Science College at Wase, Cimic/QIP Community Hoss Community School at Riyom, Solar Powered Borehole at Bokkos and Cimic/QIP Community Solar Borehole in Bassa Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday.
The commissioning of the 40,000-liter in Jebbu Bassa opposite the Primary Health Care Center was the venue for the commissioning of the Civil-Military Affairs project constructed by the Nigerian Army to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024.
Our correspondent reports that, this project is one of the five Civil-Military Affairs Quick Impact Projects approved by the Chief of Army Staff for this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration to appreciate the host community’s support for the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen T.A. Lagbaja, was represented in Jebbu Bassa by Major-General G.O. Adesina.
Speaking during the commissioning in in Jebbu Bassa, the Chief of Army Staff said, “The commissioning ceremony of this project forms part of the series of events lined up for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024, holding here in Plateau State.
“The choice of Jebbu Bassa for this project was in recognition that this is the host community of three divisions of the Nigerian Army, and many of our veterans also live in this community.
“The project is, therefore, one of the Nigerian Army’s modest contributions and efforts towards improving the living standard of the people of this community,” he stated.
He explained that, “The project is equally aimed at complementing the efforts of the federal and state governments, as well as other governmental and non-governmental organizations, in developing the state and providing potable water to our communities.
“It is, therefore, envisaged that the water facility will go a long way in contributing to the health of the community,” he noted.
He reassured the community that, the Nigerian Army, being the people’s army, will sustain its kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations to ensure the restoration of a secure country for the peaceful coexistence among the people of Plateau State.
According to him, “The execution of different quick impact projects, as well as other measures undertaken by the Nigerian Army, form part of our non-kinetic efforts towards alleviating the challenges of host communities in the areas where military operations are ongoing,’ he said.
Lt-Gen Lagbaja noted that, “This project is executed to a very high quality, consistent with the Nigerian Army standards, and I therefore, enjoin the community leaders to take ownership of this project and emplace measures for its maintenance, ensuring that its benefits are not short-lived.”
He commended the good people of Jebbu Bassa Community for their continuous support and, particularly Plateau State in general, which has contributed immensely and tremendously to the operational successes being recorded by the troops of the 3rd Division and Operation Safe Haven.
The Chief of Army Staff further assure them all that the Army will continue to work hard to ensure the success of this project, adding that, “The Nigerian Army, under my leadership, is ever ready to reciprocate this gesture of cooperation within the ambit of our constitutional mandate.”
He urged the people to continue to offer their support to the troops for more successful operations within Plateau State, as well as the neighboring states, saying, “This will essentially fast-track the achievement of our desired end in the state.”
He restated the unalloyed loyalty of officers and men of the Nigerian Army to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the execution of their mandate.
Speaking earlier, Lt-Col. I.C. Onwuteaka, a member of the Sub-committee on Civil-Military Affairs and Quick Impact Projects for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024, said “The construction of this solar-powered borehole and reticulation was executed by the Nigerian Army through direct labour.
“The project, which commenced on the 27th of April 2024, was accompanied by the Nigerian Army Day Celebration and was accomplished in line with the design and specifications of Nigerian Army standards.
“The project was completed on the 27th of June 2024, within two months, and is set for commissioning. The solar-powered borehole is comprised of a borehole with a solar submersive pump,” he added.
According to Lt-Col. Onwuteaka, “The facilities include an overhead tank with fiberglass and solar panels. The external works include a perimeter-faced water distribution point. The solar-powered borehole and reticulation are well constructed to the standard and befitting of the community,” he stated.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Fidelis Adara, expressed happiness, saying, “We are very happy, and the community is very happy that they are doing something quite good for us here in the community.
“We are very, very happy about this large project that we have undertaken for the community. It’s one thing for the army to construct this, and another thing to be able to sustain it,” he said.
“The people around us, who are going to benefit, have been yearning for this. It’s a great resource for the community to use, and the hospital would also benefit significantly from this project,” he stressed.