AKWA IBOM – The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, says electricity is an essential driver of social economics development in view of its relevance to education and security in the country.
Abbas said this during the inauguration of a Rural Electrification Project (5000 KVA electricity transformer), at Ikot Edeghe community in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Tuesday.
Represented by Rear Adm. Chijioke Onyemaobi, Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, the CNS said that the restoration of electricity to Ikot Edeghe community would undoubtedly improve the quality of life of the residents and contribute meaningful to the development of the community.
“The project will support education, stimulate commerce, enhancing security and create opportunity for growth,” Abbas said.
He said that the navy under his leadership remained committed to strengthening civil-military cooperation and supporting initiatives that promoted national development and social cohesion.
Abbas explained that security and prosperity of the country were strengthened through meaningful development.
“This understanding continues to buy Nigerian navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts, and the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project (SIQIP), Scheme which seeks to address critical community needs while fostering stronger bond between the arm forces and the people,” he added.
He emphasised that his vision, dedication and commitment to community development was clearly reflected in the successful execution of the project through the noble initiative.
He commended the facilitator, Rear Adm. Etop Ebe, Director of Maritime Bureau, for identifying his community, ultilising the opportunity and fund provided under CNS (SIQIP), scheme to bring massive relief to the people of Ikot Edeghe.
“He has demonstrated that leadership is most meaningful when it positively impacts the lives of others,” Abbas said.
The naval chief added that the navy would continue to partner with communities across the country in ways that foster peace, security and progress.
He urged the beneficiaries to protect and maintain the project to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Earlier, Ebe said the inauguration of the CNS (SIQIP) marked another significant milestone in the navy’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relation and supporting national development through sustainable community-focused initiative.
He also said that the project was expected to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people of Ikot Edeghe community by restoring electricity, enhancing security, promotion economic activities and improving the overall quality of life in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The project facilitator said that the village had been plagued by lack of power supply occasioned by vandalism, theft, degraded power transformers, distribution lines and associated facilities.
“For almost 10 years this unwholesome situation has contributed to disillusionment of the youths and also hampered job creation,” he said.
He explained that the detailed project plan was conceptualised and proposed to the Nigerian navy in February with a completion period of four months.(NAN)
