Buratai decries state of army barracks

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has decried the level of decay of infrastructure in Army barracks across the country.

Buratai said this at the inauguration of some renovated residential accommodation for soldiers at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.

Buratai blamed the condition on long years of neglect and poor budgetary allocation to renovation and construction of barracks accommodation.

“It is an unfortunate situation but over the years you can see the state of dilapidation and state of decay in the barracks.

“The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate but these are just the measures that we are taking to address the situation and we will continue to solicit for more support from government.

“The decay is enormous but thank God that in this year’s budget there is provision for barracks renovation,” he said.

The chief of army staff said the present Army administration was looking inward to find solutions to the infrastructure decay in the barracks.

He said the Army headquarters had commenced the renovation of ten blocks of 30 flats each at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, as part of efforts to address the problem.

Buratai added that strict measures for maintenance would be put in place to entrench maintenance culture in the barracks.

He assured soldiers and officers of the present administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of their families at all times.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff has also inspected other ongoing construction of soldiers’ accommodation at the Obienu Barracks in Bauchi.