Akwa Ibom approves N289m for barracks renovation

The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved N289 million for the renovation of dilapidated buildings at the 6 Infantry Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area of the state.
The state Governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, who stated this on Friday during the 2013 Shooting Range Classification Exercise at 6 Infantry Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa, lamented the state of buildings in the barracks.
Akpabio therefore directed the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal to commence the renovation of some dilapidated buildings in the barracks.
Akpabio remarked: “I have already approved N289 million for renovation work in the barracks.
“I hereby direct the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal to embark immediately on renovation of buildings in the army barracks, rehabilitation of the volleyball pitch, building of a sports and games hall to be named after the immediate past Commanding Officer of the barracks, who lost his life last year in the Dana Airline crash.”
Lieutenant Colonel Owoicho Jumbo Ochigbo was the then Commanding Officer of the 6 Infantry Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa.
Akpabio assured residents of the barracks that the state government would always partner with them and thanked them for the sacrifices they have made for the country and for joining his administration in maintaining peace and security in the state.
The governor, who lauded the Commander of the barracks for his integrity in building and completing two building blocks in the barracks sponsored by the state government, commended the soldiers for the suffering they pass through to keep Nigeria one.
He said: “I am delighted to be part of your shooting competition.
“I never bargained to win but it indicates that even within five minutes, a good student would always be a good student.”
He emerged the winner of the exercise, firing at target 18 out of 20 rounds.
The Commander, 13 Amphibious Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Cross RiverState, Brigadier-General Okwudili Azinta, said during the exercise, that families from different states are assembled to perform traditional plays and commended the governor for turning the barracks into another local government area.
Azinta, who harped on the nexus between security and development, noted that Akpabio has laid the foundation for security in the state through the provision of enduring infrastructure.
While assuring Akpabio of the unalloyed cooperation of the military, he pledged their readiness to continue to defend democracy because of its dividends to the people.