By Yahaya Isah

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), AVM Oladayo Amao, has commended the pace of work on ongoing infrastructure projects in Gombe and Niger States.

Amao inspected the 407 Air Combat Training Group (407 ACTG), Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Kainji, Niger.

The projects are being emplaced to accommodate the 12 x A-29 Super Tucano aircraft when they arrive Nigeria, according to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

The statement also quoted the CAS  as equally expressing some degree of satisfaction with the progress of work on ongoing projects at the 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group (109 CRG, formerly known as 203 CRG) NAF, in Gombe.

This,  the statment said, would serve as the base for the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) ordered from China by the Federal Government.

The CAS also inspected work at the arming bays, apron and other projects being executed by U.S assigned contractors.

Amao stated that it was very clear that everything was being done to ensure that virtually all the infrastructure required to accommodate the Super Tucano aircraft would be in place prior to their arrival by the middle of the year.

He  later held an interactive session with the officers, airmen and airwomen, where he urged them to remain disciplined and unwavering in their commitment to duty.

The CAS also advised them to always be security conscious, while contributing their quota to ensuring that NAF ‘enhances and sustains critical airpower capabilities required for joint force deployment, in pursuit of national security imperatives’.

He also entertained questions and received feedback, as well as suggestions from the personnel on how to move the service forward through more effective and efficient service delivery.

In a similar development, on arrival in Gombe, the CAS  was received  by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Manasseh Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, amongst other government officials.

Amao proceeded to inspect ongoing infrastructure development at 109 CRG, including the Taxiways, Apron, Aircraft Shelters, Bulk Fuel Installation (BFI), Ammunition Dump, Access Roads, as well as Office and residential accommodations.

The CAS  thanked the State Government for allocating the 230 Hectare land to the NAF, in addition to other forms of support toward the speedy establishment of the 109 CRG,.

He  noted that much still needed to be done, to make the base ready to receive the UCAVs, which are due soon in the country.

“Aside the currently completed and other ongoing projects, there is need for NAF and the State Government to jointly work towards connecting the base to the national grid, as  work on the construction of the access road to the base commences”, the CAS said.

In his remarks, Jatau, expressed extreme delight at the speed at which NAF was developing facilities at the Base in Gombe, saying that it was nothing short of extraordinary.

He equally expressed appreciation to NAF for the medical outreach conducted for host communities in the Akko-Gona Emirate area of the state, in October 2020, saying that  the outreach  had  immensely benefitted members of the targeted communities.

This, he said, was barely two months after the establishment and groundbreaking ceremony of the unit.

Amao stressed the need for the state government, to continue to do its best in supporting NAF toward the ultimate goal of improving security in the state and indeed the entire North-East. (NAN)