By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG) has officially laid the foundation for the building of an extension of surveillance division at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI).

The extension was cited at the Support Weapon wing of NASI and the building, when completed, would serve as reconnaissance training centre and would contain two class rooms, technical room, offices, simulation room and panda for practical activities.

The Commandant of NASI, Major General Maude Gadzama, during the ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday, said the training centre would assist the students of NASI to visualise and understand the usage of radar.

He said the reconnaissance centre would perfect the NASI students’ various skills before being introduced to the field.

The commandant also stated that “over the years, NASI has trained students on surveillance but the need for upgrade was to meet the changing trends to enhance the training.”

“The reconnaissance centre will also accommodate the large turn up of officers and soldiers desirous of studying surveillance course in the wing.

“Apart from the importance of the course in training soldiers and officers in the Nigerian Army, it would also help in building their capacity for future deployment of the equipment in the field.

“At the end of the construction and the commencement of training in the facility, the students will be able to employ surveillance equipment with ease in all phases of war as well as in counter insurgency operation,” Gadzama added.

He assured the German Advisory group of Nigerian Army's commitment to continue building the capacity of soldiers through realistic training to cope with the ever-evolving nature and character of warfare, particularly the ongoing counter-insurgency operation.

He thanked them for the support and pledged to use the facilities judiciously when completed.

Earlier, the Project Manager of Reconnaissance GTAG, Master Warrant Officer (MWO), Schneider Biel, said the project was due to the partnership between them and NASI.

According to Biel, the project would finalise the training process by extending the infrastructure to have more capacity to train more soldiers and execute more courses.

He noted that the project which was expected to be completed in five months, would serve as an avenue to enhance the skills of soldiers in the fight against insurgency..

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