Photo: Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (right); and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar (left)
By Deborah Nnamdi, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has said that his government does not only support those who voted for them. Fubara disclosed this at the inauguration of the two Blocks of 12 Flats each of 2-bedroom NAF Prototype Residential Buildings for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.
“We are here to say, as a government, our support is not only to those who elected (voted for) us, and those communities that we have to oversee their welfare. But we also have to contribute and support the agencies that also protect lives and properties in our State.
He said that the residential building constructed by the State Government for officers of the Nigerian Air Force was to enable his administration to complement the efforts of the military and the Federal Government in providing welfare support to Servicemen.
According to the governor, the project was initiated in 2017 at the cost of N212m but is currently valued at over N454m. He stated that the housing facility will contribute to the housing comfort of personnel, and enhance their performance and productivity.
“Our little contribution to their welfare can just be there. I consider it not much, but just a little thing that we can do to appreciate the sacrifices they are making for us.
“We have a very difficult situation in our hands, where we are battling the cases of oil theft; we have the cases of vandalization of our oil pipelines. These are men who are always flying to ensure that those national treasures are secured.
“It is not only Mr President that will carry this burden. We, in our little corner, are also supposed to contribute to the welfare of these officers.”
Fubara maintained that his administration is committed to making the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF more attractive and to become the envy of others.
In his address, Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, said: “Indeed, we are deeply indebted to the Rivers State Government for the kindness and commitment to our well-being for nearly six decades. As the saying goes, ‘One good turn deserves another’, and the Nigerian Air Force has reciprocated by contributing towards the peace and security of the State, primarily through air operations against illegal oil bunkering.
“This has helped sustain the economic lifeline of the State and created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
This cooperation exemplifies a strong partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Rivers State Government,” he added.
