By Dele Ogbodo
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja,the Ministers of Works and Defence, Engr. David Umahi and Mohammed Abubarkar have concluded strategies on collaboration to deplo military operations combined with the ongoing road infrastructure upgrade for the overall enhancement of Nigeria’s security architecture.
This emerged as part of the strategic and holistic security roadmap of the Federal Government to nip in the bud the current wave of security challenges that bedeviled the country at the turn of the year.
The meeting was held at the instance of the Minister of Works at Ministry’s Headquarters on Friday in Abuja which was predicated improving the nation’s internal security through revolutionalizing road infrastructure development.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, the Chief of Army Staff reiterated that the essence of the meeting was to discuss with Umahi elements of national power support to the military field operations with a focus on the role of infrastructural upgrade in the enhancement of military operations across the country.
He said: “We have discussed extensively, and we are glad that the Minister of Works is disposed to some of the suggestions that we have made on the need to focus on some critical roads that will impact positively on military operations across the country.
Umahi, praised the interactive meeting as a renewed hope initiative that would add value to the implementation of the security roadmap of the present administration.
The Minister commended President Bola Tinubu, for appointing men of proven professional capacities and passion for service delivery to tackle the security challenges facing our country, and expressed hope that with the interventions of the President towards rejiging the nation’s road infrastructure, military operations would improve the security of the country.
“I commend the President very highly, and I thank members of the public who have also supported him in different dimensions.
“Yes, we have discussed certain infrastructure as it concerns my Ministry to enhance their performances, and our minds are working together.
“The main focus of the President, when it comes to road infrastructure, is the inter-state routes that are linked to security operations nationwide, the palliative jobs, and the roads that are linked to markets, industries and factories.
“And so, we are going to hasten this mandate and to ensure that the desire of the President, as far as road infrastructure is concerned is achieved.”
According to him, road is everything. If you improve the roads, you have improved security, agriculture, education, and commerce, and you have improved the happiness of people.
“We have started to be in the field to repair over 320 roads that he has directed us to do.” He said.
Corroborating the Works Minister, the COAS, said: “We have discussed extensively, and we are glad that the Minister is disposed to some of the suggestions that we have made on the need to focus on some critical roads that will impact positively on military operations across the country.
“And so, the Minister has made some promises, and we look forward to seeing activities of contractors and other agents focus in this direction in the field, and the military will support them going forward.
“Overall, improved security is our objective, and we will continue to pursue that.”
