“I want to emphatically state that one of the top priorities of this administration is the enhancement of capacity of the armed forces to discharge their duties effectively. We will continue to provide the needed support for the armed forces for efficient service delivery.”
The President spoke today, Saturday at an inauguration of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL) mega filling station in Minna. He was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.
President Buhari who applauded the successes of the armed forces in counter insurgency operations in the North-East and urge you to sustain the tempo, said that one of the top priorities of his administration is to enhance the capacity of the armed forces to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
He said that establishment of the filling station is in line with policy direction of his administration, adding: “this is no doubt part of current effort to re-position the Nigerian Army to meet contemporary realities.’’
Buhari said that the project would afford the army optimum utilization of its human and material assets into practical business ventures, adding that the measure would improve the well being of the armed forces personnel, their families and the country.
The president said that the business venture would afford the army the opportunity to serve the country in their various areas of specialisation for enhanced service delivery.
Also speaking, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), urged Nigerian Army personnel to remain “professionally responsive and loyal to the constitution of the country’’. Buratai commended the Federal Government for its continuous support for the armed forces in tackling insecurity in the North-East. “The Nigerian Armed Forces have made appreciable progress in the fight against terror,’’ he said. He later inaugurated a multi office complex and quarter guards at the Headquarters of Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Minna`, rehabilitated by the office of the COAS. Earlier, Brig.-Gen. Umaru Mohammed, Managing Director, NAPL, said that the business venture was an investment arm of the Nigerian Army. Mohammed said that NAPL was planning to set up similar filling stations across the country to deliver 24-hour service to the army and the public. The filling station, which commenced operation immediately after inauguration, has six pumps for dispensing of fuel, one pump each for dispensing diesel and kerosene. Similarly, Danjuma Mohammed, first motorist who purchased fuel from the filling station, said that the product was sold at the official pump price of N86.50 per litre. [myad]
