By Lengnan Tobias
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has inaugurated 3iGnew Airmen’s Quarters and a sports complex at the 053 Headquarters NAF Camp, Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.
The CAS also inaugurated another staff quarters at Abacha Road, Karu, Nasarawa State.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday, the CAS said the facilities were part of the Nigerian Air Force’s deliberate commitment to improve welfare, morale and operational readiness.
“This commission is not merely about unveiling new facilities; it represents our deliberate commitment to improving the living conditions, physical well-being, and overall effectiveness of our personnel,” he said.
Air Marshal Aneke noted that military service demands personnel who are focused, physically fit and mentally prepared.
”It is therefore imperative that adequate accommodation and recreational facilities are provided to enhance welfare, morale, and operational readiness,” he stated.
He said the new airmen quarters were designed to provide a more conducive and secure living environment, while the NAV Valley-based Sports Complex will promote physical fitness, recreation and teamwork.
According to him, the projects reflect one of his key enablers: “maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.”
The CAS disclosed that the new accommodation blocks were intentionally named after officers and airmen who paid the supreme price or were injured in operations.
”The first four names are pilots who have either ejected or sustained injury under fire, irrespective of their rank. So you don’t need to get to the rank of AVM for something to be named after you,” he said.
He added that personnel serving in the Northeast, Northwest, North Central and Southeast who “are losing sleep so that me and you can sleep” will be prioritized for training slots and other benefits.
Speaking further, he said the NAF was working assiduously to provide affordable housing for officers.
”I have given an instruction to the GMD and the MD NAV Construction for them to put a halt at establishing new estates until we are able to find a formula that presents the cheapest and fastest wins for my officers and airmen to own their own houses,” he said.
He explained that the NAF was engaging banks, mortgage companies and government to reduce land costs, which drive up housing prices.
”If you can get free land, then it’s just the construction cost.
”Then it’s easier for you to pick what you want, then have a bank that can work with us, give you a loan, so that you don’t have to strangulate yourself to get a house,” he said.
He stressed that the focus must be on housing for officers and airmen, “not where 80 per cent of the people staying there is not us.”
The CAS commended his predecessor, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, for initiating the projects, and thanked President Bola Tinubu for “unwavering support” to the NAF.
He urged beneficiaries to maintain the facilities judiciously and directed that landscaping must be a major component of all future commissioning projects.
Also speaking, Air Commodore Imoke Imoke, Commander 053 Headquarters, NAF Camp, said the project is the first of its kind following the initiative of the Director of Works to review, amend, and redesign the existing NAF building prototypes.
“The project introduces new and modern design concept for NAF accommodations, reflecting the Directorate of Works commitment to ensuring the future infrastructure development within the service.
“This provision is intended to ensure a reliable and adequate water supply to the occupant and further enhance the functionality, convenience, and overall standard of the accommodation.“ (NAN)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola