By Peter Okolie
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, on Thursday, inaugurated a town hall and 500KVA transformer in Ihitte-Uboma, Imo, to strengthen civil-military cooperation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Director of Weapon Electrical Engineering, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Michael Igwe, an illustrious son of Umukoro Lowa in Uboma community, Ihite-Uboma Local Government Area, executed the project.
Speaking at the event, Abbas said “civil-military cooperation encompasses those activities and interactions between the military and civil society toward the accomplishment of missions and military strategic objectives.
He was represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, Rear Adm. Chijioke Onyemaobi.
“The initiative is part of the Navy’s Special Quick Impact Project launched in 2024, which aims to honour accomplished senior officers through impactful community development,” he said.
Abbas emphasised that the project aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Convinced that this project will enhance the quality of lives, I believe the Nigerian Navy will certainly not be hurriedly forgotten,” he said.
He urged the community to use the facilities responsibly and maintain strong collaboration with security agencies to effectively eliminate threats and enhance collective national well-being.
In his remarks, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, commended President Bola Tinubu’s transformational leadership and support to the Armed Forces, enabling them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, also commended the leadership of the Navy for the laudable intervention.
“This gesture reflects a deep commitment to the community, their development, national unity and improved standard of living,” the governor said.
He expressed pride in Igwe’s “meritorious” service to the community and the nation, urging the beneficiaries to take ownership by protecting and maintaining the facilities.
“As a government, we remain committed to partnering with the Armed Forces and all stakeholders to build stronger, safer and prosperous communities across Imo,” Uzodimma said.
Earlier in a welcome speech, Igwe said that the interventions directly resolved critical hardships long faced by the Umuokoro and Umunzeduru communities.
“The community has not had electricity supply in the past three and half years due to a faulty transformer that was beyond repairs,” Igwe explained.
He said the brand new 500KVA transformer was installed and activated two months ago, restoring power to the rural populace and its surrounding environs.
“Additionally, the project delivered a fully furnished, 80-person capacity Town Hall featuring male and female toilets, replacing a completely dilapidated structure built in the 1970s.
“This historic project underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Navy in strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation between the Navy and the civil populace,” Igwe said.
He thanked Abbas for providing the funding, exceptional leadership, and vision to complete the infrastructure in quick time.
A community leader in the area, Chief Collins Nwachukwu, expressed delight over the gesture, urging the state and federal government, as well as spirited individuals to rescue the area from erosion and absence of road network.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi