The Nigerian Army said yesterday that following unending threats by militants who obstruct construction and developmental projects especially roads and bridges in the Niger Delta, it had sent in proposals to the new ministry of the Niger Delta as well as the Rivers State government that it would henceforth bid for the construction of roads and bridges in the riverine areas of the country particularly areas where there are questions of security and safety concerns.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Abdurahman Dambazau who made the disclosure while conducting members of the Senate Committee on Defence round the ‘Quick Intervention housing Layouts for 600 families’ being constructed by the Nigerian Army Engineers near Mambilla Barracks in Abuja, noted that the Nigerian Army was now ready to do what it knows best by getting involved in construction projects.
According to Dambazau, “I have already had discussions with the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over the possibility of the army coming to his aid in construction of roads and bridges because I learnt that some youths are obstructing the plans of the state to embark on developmental projects.”
He explained that the Nigerian Army Engineers Corps which was hailed in the past for its engineering feats in road construction had been energised and was presently fully ready to deploy its experts in mechanical, electrical and civil engineering to perform such jobs especially in areas where major or other construction companies are prevented from working.
On why he embarked on the quick intervention housing project and the cost involved, General Dambazau said, “Having taken the welfare of soldiers and their families as central to my vision on assumption of office, I realized that we have acute shortage of accommodation for soldiers. Though the problem is there for officers too but it is not as acute as that of soldiers.”
Disclosing that the housing programme which would be driven by direct labour would be started with the sum of N2billion, the Army Chief said, “The accommodation problems of soldiers actually gingered me to start this project. We forwarded our case for the quick intervention projects to the Presidency and the National Assembly.
That is why they are here”.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ibrahim Idah in his speech, discribed the decision of the Nigerian army to bid for construction projects across the country as a welcome development noting that the military in other places go out to bid for construction contracts.