Navy expands grassroots projects in Gombe

The Nigerian Navy has expanded its Civil-Military Quick Intervention Projects across Gombe State, with the inauguration of a newly constructed and fully furnished five-bedroom lodge for National Youth Service Corps members and an upgraded dispensary at Malam Sidi in Kwami Local Government Area of the state.

The projects, executed in honour of Rear Admiral Sulaiman Abdullahi, are among a series of Nigerian Navy interventions implemented in different communities across the state.

Representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, at the commissioning on Friday, the Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral Yakubu Dahiru, said the Nigerian Navy recognised community development as an important component of its civil-military relations.

He said the Civil-Military Quick Intervention initiative was designed to strengthen relationships between the Navy, government and host communities through projects that directly addressed local needs.

Dahiru said, “The Nigerian Navy recognises the importance of community development through meaningful projects. The Civil-Military Quick Intervention initiative was designed to strengthen bonds and foster unity between the Nigerian Navy, government and the public for national development.”

Speaking earlier, the project facilitator, Abdullahi, thanked Abbas for giving him the opportunity to facilitate the projects in his community.

He said the five-bedroom NYSC lodge was inspired by the Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau, and would provide decent and comfortable accommodation for corps members posted to the area for their one-year national service.

He added that the renovated and upgraded dispensary, formerly an Area Health Office inherited from the colonial era, was designed to improve access to healthcare services for residents of Malam Sidi and surrounding communities.

Abdullahi urged residents to take ownership of the projects, protect the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of present and future generations.

In a goodwill message on behalf of the facilitator’s family, retired Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Yerima, described the projects as an honour to the family and people of Kwami Local Government Area.

He said the institution could take advantage of the Malam Sidi River, located about 10 kilometres from the town, similar to the Navy’s intervention in Misau, Bauchi State.