Emmanuel inaugurates 168 housing units in army Barracks

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated 168 reconstructed housing units at the Wellington Bassey Army Barracks 6 Battalion, Ibagwa, Abak, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday.

Emmanuel in his remarks, said that as a responsible federating unit, Akwa Ibom Government would continue to support federal institutions to function properly.

“The pitiable situation of the barracks caught my attention when I came on inspection with the then Commander of 2Brigade.

“What I saw was very disturbing and I decided that I will change the story of this barracks for good.

“Today, we are witnesses to the new aura of this barracks as we inaugurate the phase 2 of my interventions here in this barracks.

“I decided to add the water scheme to help the residents with their water needs and improve the living conditions of the residents.

“I have been told of the issues relating to power unavailability in the barracks and I’m determined to do something about it, by next year this time, we will be here again to inaugurate the power infrastructure,” Emmanuel said.

The Commander, 2Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Faruq Mijinyawa, expressed appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff and gratitude of the leadership and men of the brigade, on the qualitative and prompt delivery of the projects.

The commander praised the governor for his consistent care and concern for army and its personnel.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Raphael Bassey, whose ministry supervised the reconstruction of the barracks, assured that standards were strictly observed in the execution of the entire reconstruction.

Bassey said that the second phase of the reconstruction comprised 84 houses for soldiers of the rank of corporal and below, in addition to the houses earlier inaugurated, bringing the total number to 168.

Speaking to newsmen, the wife of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Magdalene Kefas, appreciated the governor and government for giving them a comfortable accommodation and good drinking water.

According to her, before the governor’s intervention, our houses were leaking and life was very difficult.