Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Donald Okehie has constructed and donated infrastructure development projects worth over One Hundred Million Naira to his community, Uzoubi-Umuna, in Orlu Council of Imo State.

The projects include 10, 000 litre capacity water storage unit with reticulation, solar powered industrial borehole and reconstruction of 400 sitting capacity Okwu Owerre Community Town Hall, equiped with morden facilities.

Speaking at the official commissioning ceremony of the projects on Wednesday, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, applauded Okehie for the development projects and urged the benefiting community to safeguard and put them to good use.

Abbas represented by the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Rear Admiral Omotola Olukoya said the project initiative, “is part of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, that seeks to address critical community needs and encourage meaningful development across communities in the country.”

According to him, “The Nigerian Navy recognizes that the security and prosperity of our nation are strengthened when communities are empowered through meaningful development. This understanding continues to guide the Nigerian Navy’s Civil-Military Cooperation efforts and the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, which seeks to address critical community needs while fostering stronger bonds between the Armed Forces and the people we serve. Today’s event is another demonstration of that commitment.”

Earlier in his speech, the facilitator, Rear Admiral Okehie said the projects reflected the value of civil-military cooperation, adding that they would help to strengthen security, peace, unity as well as enhance general well-being of his community and the society at large.

He said, “this intervention also reflects the value of civil-military cooperation. By responding to community needs and showing respect for local heritage, the Nigerian Navy strengthens the trust and goodwill essential to its relationship with the civil populace.

“Peace and security are strengthened when communities work together and maintain constructive relationships with the institutions that serve them. It is my hope that the goodwill expressed through this project will encourage continued cooperation for the development and security of our community.”

Appreciating the Nigeria Naval and their son, Okehie, the community leaders including the traditional ruler, HRH Eze Basil Okereke; the President General, Prof. Michael Obioha Okoro; the former Orlu Council Chairman, Lady Barr. Ijeoma Igbanuasi, and Chief Ndubuisi Okehie pledged adequate protection and judicious use of the projects.

“Today, we celebrate not only projects but legacies of service. To you our honoured son, Rear Admiral Okehie, we say without mincing words, Uzoubi-Umuna is proud of you and will forever remember this gesture. May these projects become lasting symbols of unity, development and the enduring bond between our people and the Nigeria Naval.” Okoro said.

The event had presence of heads of others military and paramilitary agencies, government officials, community leaders, religious leaders, the 92 year old father of the facilitator, Nze Fidelis Okehie, among other prominent personalities.