By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian Army places high premium on welfare of its personnel, families and host communities as it fashions ways to reduce cost of living for them.

Yahaya said this on Wednesday while inaugurating a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Station at Trans-Ekulu Abakpa Barracks in Enugu built by the Nigerian Army Welfare Holdings Limited by Guarantee (NAWLG) in partnership with Gasland Nigeria Limited.

The COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Umar Musa, said that project was one of the numerous welfare related projects undertaken by the Nigerian Army for the benefit of its personnel and their immediate communities.

According to the COAS, the essence of this project is to avail the troops, their families and this host community LPG product(s) of good quality at the appropriate affordable market price.

He noted that the successful partnership and welfare package to troops was one of the pillars of his administration’s vision of having “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint Environment in defence of Nigeria”.

“The Nigerian Army believes that success in kinetic operation could further be enhanced through community development as this will assist in stemming the tide of insecurity in the country.

“Therefore, projects like this are poised to contribute to the welfare development of the community at large.

“This will also complement the efforts of the government at various levels and with private companies adding value to the society.

“We urge members of the public to feel free to patronise this gas station as this will further foster the civil-military relationship that already exists in this community,” he said.

Yahaya also thanked GasLand Nigeria Limited for delivering their end of the partnership and the people of the host community, council area and Enugu State Government for their support and usual cooperation.

“I want to express the Nigerian Army's immense gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for his unwavering support,” he added.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of NAWLG, Maj.-Gen. Adekola Bakare, noted that the partnership with Gasland Nigeria Limited for establishing gas stations started with the first LPG station which was commissioned in April 2019 at Mambila Barracks, Abuja.

Bakare said that since then troops, families and host communities had been enjoying reduced and affordable LPG products and services and the same would be extended to troops, families, barrack community and entire residents of Enugu metropolis.

He said that the station would make its products and services accessible and affordable to all; thus, “also improving the Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) that already existed between the state/host community and the Nigerian Army”.

“I laud the COAS for his purposeful leadership and clear vision that is propelling the Nigerian Army to greater heights as well as Gasland Nigeria Limited for making the project a reality,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Gasland Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Omowunmi Adebayo, said that army personnel, members of the host community and public would get five per cent price reduction on items and each kilogramme of gas purchased.

Adebayo said that the station would have its staff recruited from the barrack/host community; while ensuring quality products and well calibrated pumps to ensure value for money for its customers.

“The station has numerous benefits especially for Nigerian Army personnel, who will be given a patronage card and with it more goodies, will come their way.

“We have the best stock of quality cooking gas, gas cylinders for sale and its accessories as well as cylinder refill and auto refill as well.

“The station has first class safety measures and equipment installed all around the premises for the safety of all as well as various payment platforms to ease sales,” she added.

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