- Commissions projects in Bayelsa
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has charged troops in 16 Brigade, Area of Responsibility (AOR) to do more in ensuring the protection of critical national infrastructures.
Major General Abdussalam, who was in Bayelsa State on a working visit where he commissioned several projects, addressing troops at 16 Field Engineer Regiment (FER), Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government, tasked them to press head with the destruction of illegal refineries and to stop pipeline vandalism and all forms of criminalities in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
According to him, the fight against oil theft has become necessary to enable the Federal Government of Nigeria to continue scaling up oil production in order to improve export quota, which will lead to increased revenue.
He said that any disruption on the pipeline affects oil production and ultimately revenue. Thus, efforts must be emplaced to stop all criminal activities in the region.
” You must sustain the operational tempo against pipeline vandals and economic saboteurs,” the GOC stressed.
At the 16 Brigade Headquarters, Gen Abdussalam commended the Commander for the laudable projects he initiated, adding that it has transformed the Brigade tremendously.
He also applauded him for the achievements, urging all officers to ensure they make improvements wherever they find themselves while leaving good legacies.
The Commander, 16 Brigade, Brigadier General Sadisu Yakasai, while thanking the GOC, said the projects commissioned, centred on officers and soldiers’ welfare.
He further added that having worked under the GOC’s tutelage in the past at Army War College Nigeria, and now as his Brigade Commander, he has learned a lot, adding that the Brigade remains highly indebted to the GOC for all he has done in support of the Brigade.
Earlier, the Commanding Officer, 16 FER, Lieutenant Colonel Akinlolu Ayanfuso, who disclosed that the construction of the Corporal and Below Quarters (CBQ), commenced in the year 2018 said construction process halted after the structure was roofed and was still in a skeletal stage.
He however pointed out that following the Commander Corp of Engineers, Major General Philip Eromosele maiden visit to the unit on 6 of March 2023, he promised to complete the construction of the structure.
According to him work resumed back on 25 Jun 23 which ensured that the project was successfully delivered and thankfully commissioned by the GOC.
Projects commissioned by General Abdussalam includes a one storey 20 family CBQ at Toru-Orua, designed for troops and their families, Commander 16 Brigade official residence, Nigerian Army Post Exchange (NAPEX) and Soldiers’ Canteen as well as Number 2 Gate at Camp Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Yenagoa.
Others are the Regimental Sergeant Major’s official residence, unveiling of a street named after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, and Officers’ transit accommodation and tree planting campaign in support of 16 Brigade.