COAS commissions 30 flats Corporal & Below Quarters; Other Projects at 16 Brigade HQTRS; Bayelsa Deputy Gov absolves Military of Blame over Elections.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Saturday commissioned several landmark projects at the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Bayelsa State.

The COAS who was represented by Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Major General AA Salihu, was received by the Brigade Commander, 16 Brigade, Brigadier General Kelvin Aligbe.

Among the projects commissioned were the remodelled 16 Brigade Quarter Guard, the Garrison Headquarters Complex and The Corporal and Below Quarters.

The construction of the Corporal and Below Quarters consisting of 30 flats at the ‘Tukur Buratai Camp’ is expected to address the accommodation challenges that has been confronting the Brigade.

Also commissioned were 16 Brigades’ Integrated Medical Centre, as well as the Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess.

Governor Seriake Dickson was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral Jonah Gboriagha (rtd).

In his address at the occasion, Bayelsa Deputy Governor, retired Rear Admiral Jonah called on Nigerians not to blame the army for its involvement in the 2019 general elections saying he had investigated the Nigerian Army’s involvement in the elections and found out that what they did was not different from what the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai mandated them.

While appealing to Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian army which he described as a stabilising factor, to discharge its duties he recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai had at different fora warned officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to stick to the rules of engagement of participation in the elections in suppory of the Nigerian Police Force.

In justifying the Army’s involvement in the elections, Lt. Gen Buratai had cited Section 217 of the 1999 constitution as amended which empowers the army to support civil authority in addressing internal security challenges when called upon.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the COAS before inaugurating the projects projects, Major Gen. Saliu charged commanders to always impact positively on their environment.

The COAS promised more fund to provide required infrastructure in the Brigade and army formations across the country even as he also called on the citizens to cooperate with the military by providing it with useful information to enable it ensure their safety.

In his contribution, the GOC 6 Division Port Harcourt, Major Gen. Jameel Sarham noted that the Brigade would assist in addressing security challenges in Bayelsa and Niger Delta in general.

Sarham thanked the state government for the support it provided for the construction of the barracks.

Welcoming guest at the commissioning, Brigade Commander, 16 Brigade, Brigadier General Aligbe said what was required in the new barracks now was perimeter fence, parade ground and officers’ quarters.

Statement by Col Sagir Musa
Acting Director, Army Public Relations.