Navy chief flags off 237 personnel housing unit in Lagos
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Zubairu Gambo, on Thursday flagged off the construction of 237 housing units in Topo, Badagry, Lagos state.
Addressing the officers and men of Naval Forward Operation Base, Topo, Badagry, shortly after laying the foundation for the housing units, Gambo said that the project would address the shortfall in the housing sector in Nigeria.
“I am delighted to be here today on this auspicious occasion of the Ground Breaking Ceremony to flag-off housing development of the Admiralty Shelter Estate, Topo – Badagry.
“The project is under a Joint Venture Partnership arrangement between the Navy Holdings Ltd. and Messrs Jewel Shelter Constructs Ltd.
“Pertinently, the Nigerian Navy is cognisant of the fact that shelter constitutes a very significant part as the second most essential basic need, considering that it is where an individual grows and matures as a dependable part of society.
“Furthermore, the impact of affordable housing to personnel welfare cannot be quantified as it is adjudged a veritable tool for motivation and morale booster for operational efficiency.
“It is in this regard, the Nigerian Navy over the years continued to prioritise home ownership in the hierarchy of its preferences,” he said.
Gambo said the 237 housing project would accommodate both serving and retired Nigerian Navy personnel as well as members of the public.
“The Admiralty Shelter Estate is in close proximity to some strategic infrastructure and monumental facilities such as the Atlantic Slave Trade Museum and Monuments amongst others.
“In addition, the waterway, ongoing unprecedented 10-lane carriage Lagos-Badagry Expressway including a light rail as well as a Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor would offer unique transportation options for prospective residents.
“This is indeed another significant milestone amongst many initiatives in the comprehensive transformation plan articulated for infrastructural development toward effective discharge of our constitutional mandate.
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“The proposed estate and resort by the Navy will further improve aesthetic and enhance tourism and economic activities around the area.
“These are in addition to several other houses commissioned at different locations within the Federal Capital Territory and other states of the federation to ameliorate accommodation challenges,” he said.
He urged the Navy Holdings Ltd on the need to deploy capable and reliable expertise that would assist their development partner toward ensuring that the project is completed within stipulated period.
“I must also emphasise that there should be no short-cuts at the expense of safety and quality delivery.
“The Nigerian Navy expects high standards, corporate responsibility, ethical compliance and due diligence in line with global best practices,” he said.
Gambo thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his tremendous support to the Navy toward the actualisation of its constitutional mandate.
He also appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for his immense assistance in ensuring the land acquisition.
Mr Motif Akindere-Fatai, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, said the housing project had keyed into Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES agenda of making Lagos a 21 century economy.
Akindere-Fatai, who was represented by Mr Zakari Adeyemi, a Director in Administration and Human Resources unit of Ministry of Housing, said Sanwo-Olu expressed gratitude to Gambo for granting the approval of the project in Badagry.
Mr Olusegun Onilude, the Chairman, Badagry Local Government Area, disclosed that the Nigerian Navy had promised to build a training school in Badagry.
Onilude, who was represented by Mrs Elizabeth Kappo, the Vice-Chairman of the council, assured that the council would give them plot of land to build the school when they are ready.
The Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, commended the operatives of Naval for maintaining peaceful coexistence with their host communities.
Akran, who was represented by his son, Prince Yemi Akran, commended the Chief of Naval Staff for siting the project in Topo, Badagry.
By PRNigeria
