The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has commissioned some newly completed projects in Lagos recently.
According to a press statement signed by OLAOLU DAUDU a
Lieutenant Colonel and
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, the COAS first port of call was the Bonny Cantonment where he commissioned the remodelled Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) students hostel. The COAS Staff was represented by Major General Rasheed Yusuf, the Chief of Training and Operations Army from the Army Headquarters Abuja.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of the College, Major General Richard Duru thanked the Chief of Army Staff for his commitment for infrastructural rehabilitation in all Nigerian Army schools as well as his support for enhanced capacity in the Nigerian Army through improved training in logistics. He stated that the College has been operating from temporary site since inception which has imposed a lot of constraints, which limits the expansion and full development of the College. He expressed his profound gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for his effort in ameliorating the current challenges and his immense support to the College.
In his remarks, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Rasheed Yusuf revealed that Nigerian Army under the current visionary leadership has embarked on intervention and expansion projects which have improved the Nigerian capabilities and capacity to responsively discharge its constitutional roles. He further identified training as a key part of military profession hence the need to focus on professional training and capacity building of its personnel in diverse environments to enhance operational efficiency. He pledged his commitment to the development and eventual relocation of the College to its permanent site.
The newly renovated structure is a modern palatial edifice with 36 standard en-suite rooms, two executive suites, officers mess, a kitchen/catering facility, mini industrial water treatment plant, standby generators and good landscaping.
It also has a water front sit-out lounge for relaxation. All the rooms, kitchen, dining facility, officers mess, reception lounge and the sit-out lounge have been lavishly furnished.
The COAS’ representative also proceeded to Yaba Barracks where he commissioned the newly renovated residential accommodation of the Commandant of the College. Thereafter, he proceeded to 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital also in Yaba where the Corp Commander Medical, Major General Ikechukwu Okeke in his welcome remarks, noted with gratitude the intervention projects of the Chief of Army Staff spread throughout the formations and units in Nigerian Army in particular, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna and now 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba.
The old dilapidated structure was remodelled, redesigned and reequipped. He recalled that the Chief of Army Staff was there in 2017 to commission the phase 1 of the renovation which has since been put into use. The projects executed in phase II includes, the renovation and re-equipped of male and female surgical wards, the specialist clinic for surgery, medicine and psychiatry. A clinic and an isolation ward dedicated for the treatment of tuberculosis (DOTS Centre) was also
added.
Beds, mattresses and furniture were provided, in addition to air conditioners , television sets and intercom telephone lines. While commending the intervention of the Chief of Army Staff, he expressed optimism for the addition of some other projects in phase III .
Major General Rasheed Yusuf, shortly before commissioning the project declared that the overall aim of this intervention projects is to ensure that facilities are friendly and receptive to both military and civilian clients. He urged that these facilities be put into proper use and personally manned by personnel of the Corp revealing the informed decision to commission 72 Doctors. He enjoined the staff of the hospital to make judicious use of the facilities and ensure that they are optimally maintained. It should be noted that over 40 percent of the cases attended to are civilians.
