NAN-DS-15
Base
By Ali Inuwa
Baga (Borno), Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Wednesday gave an assurance that a naval base would soon be inaugurated at Lake Chad.
Ibas stated this while briefing newsmen at Baga shortly after inspecting the site of the proposed base in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.
He said that the proposed base, when operational, would consolidate on Nigeria’s efforts in ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
Ibas said that the Federal Government decided to establish the base at the lake because of its strategic importance.
“I think that the decision was taken by the president because the lake stands at a strategic location.
“You are aware that it provides a means of communication for the four nations bordering the area.
“You are also aware that inside the lake lies resources that might be of interest to the countries.
“But for us, I think our being there will help consolidate our fight against terrorism and provide security for the post-conflict recovery of the people,” Ibas said.
He said that his visit was to get first hand information which would help in the plan to establish the base.
“My visit to Borno is to personally appraise the ongoing operations to rid the nation of the Boko Haram terrorism.
“I also want to use the opportunity to assess the level of preparations for the induction of naval forces in the base that we are establishing in the Lake Chad area,’’ he said.
Ibas, however, lamented that Boko Haram terrorists had destroyed almost all the infrastructure that would have facilitated the take-off of the base.
“The madness we had brought down almost all the infrastructure in the area.
“One has to repair the communication facilities, the access road and other vital things in the area.
“Even government buildings there are torn apart; this is not only a challenge for the people there but also a problem to the government as resources are scarce now.
“Putting those facilities back is our major challenge,’’ he said.
He said that even the site for the base needed an access road.
“We will also need electricity supply; you are aware that all communication facilities have been brought down, we need those things to settle down fast.
‘’All these are apart from the operational requirements which the Federal Government has provided for us,’’ he said.
Ibas, however, expressed optimism that all the challenges would be overcome in the nearest future for the base to be inaugurated. (NAN)
ABI/DUA/OJO
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(Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)