FG reiterates commitment to improve welfare of Army

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to improve the welfare of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

This, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mansur Dan’Ali said, it will enable them to discharge their duty effectively.

The Minister stated this in Gusau on Sunday while laying the foundation of phase 2 project of the Nigerian Army Barrack in Gusau, the Zamfara capital.

Dan’Ali said that improving the welfare of soldiers and other security personnel in the country was one of the major policies of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“That is why when we came into power, we initiated various plans to revive both the activities and conditions of soldiers in line with our policy to address the security challenge facing the country.

“When we started this project, we awarded over N220 million worth of projects as phase 1 and as we can see today, the contractor has completed all the work we gave him.

“We are today laying the foundation for the second phase which comprises various projects, including soldiers’ accommodation, administrative offices, hospitals and other structures in this barrack.

“Even though we cannot finish this project in one year, we will be taking it gradually, each year, we design and give out some contracts and award it with hope that it will be completed before end of this tenure”, he said.

The minister commended the contractor handling the project for the quality of job in phase 1, and called on him to do more in phase 2.

On the recent insecurity in the state, the minister said that the Federal Government would increase the number of soldiers in the state and provide fighting equipment to improve their strength.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was in Gusau to witness the annual comprehensive medical outreach by the Nigerian Army and to lay the foundation of the second phase of the new army barrack under construction in the state.