CNS inaugurates building project, taxes personnel on maintenance

Akpan Umoh

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged personnel of the NNS Jubilee, to ensure adequate maintenance of infrastructure provided for their use in the base.

Ibas said this during the inauguration of 1×36 rooms ratings arrival hall constructed by the Naval Headquarters for NNS Jubilee in Ikot Abasi.

The CNS, who was represented by the Commander, Eastern Fleet, Rear Adm. Perry Onwuzulike, said that the project was part of the chief of naval staff infrastructure development going on across the country.

He said that the strategic vision was to develop infrastructure in all the naval base as a deliberate attempt to ease accommodation problem for personnel.

Ibas urged those, who would take possession of the facilities to see them as their own, maintain and protect the facilities for future generation.

He informed them that the naval headquarters had spent a lot of money to put up projects in the base and therefore the need for proper maintenance.

“I will not fail to use this opportunity to point out that this project, much as we all celebrate the commissioning today, we passionately appeal to the users to please use the facilities with great care. So, that the facilities will last and put to maximum use.

“I know that the one big problem bedevilling this country is that we are quick to take possession of new items, but to put them into use and to maintain becomes a big problem.

“So, for the base and for those that will use these facilities. please, again know that a whole lot of money was spent on this project and it beholds on you to take care of it, so that it will serve generation to come,” Ibas said.

He commended the Commander NNS Jubilee for infrastructure developmental strides in the base and pledged to canvas for support from the Naval Headquarters for more projects.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commander NNS Jubilee, Commodore Abdulmajid Ibrahim, said that the project began in 2018 with foundation laying ceremony.

Ibrahim said that the finishing stage of the project commenced in July 2019 and lasted till Dec.2020 when it was completed.

The commander said that the one block 36 rooms rating arrival hall was constructed to reduce accommodation problem experienced by personnel when posted to NNS Jubilee.

“It is hoped that this building will go a long way to reduce the stress of accommodation on our personnel and also boost the morale of the men,” Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim commended the chief naval staff for the kind gesture and appealed for support from naval headquarters for the completion of the ongoing officers’ transit accommodation project.