The Nigerian Army has commissioned its first mega fuel service station built by the Nigerian Army Properties Limited and located along Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Road in Western Bypass, Minna.

At the opening ceremony held on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the Nigerian armed Forces’ leadership for their commitment and zeal in tackling security issues across Nigeria.

He also applauded the successes of the Armed Forces in the counter-Insurgency Operations in the north eastern part of Nigeria while urging them to sustain the tempo.

The president was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

He assured the military that his administration would continue to provide the much needed support to the Armed Forces for efficient service delivery and effective discharge of their responsibilities.

The Chief of Defence Staff stated that the noble relationship behind the establishment of the project was quite commendable and legendary, adding that it was part of the current efforts to reposition the Nigerian Army to meet with the contemporary realities.

He said that the establishment of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited projects had made the Service optimum utilisation of its human and material assets into profitable business ventures towards improving the welfare and well beings of the Nigerian Armed Forces at large and their families as well as the general populace.

He stressed that the Company could also afford the Nigerian Army the opportunity to effectively engage all the arms and services in their various areas of specialisations to enhance service delivery.

General Olonisakin also told the gathering that one of the few priorities of the Buhari’s administration was the enhancement of the capacity of the Armed Forces to discharge their duties effectively.

“I am therefore particularly glad that this project which is being commissioned today is a step in the right direction. I therefore congratulate the Nigerian Army for this giant stride which is in line with the policy direction of the present administration,” he stated.

The President’s representative further assured the military that the government would not relent in providing the much needed support to the Armed Forces for efficient service delivery and effective discharge of their responsibilities.

Also, in his remarks at the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, said the newly commissioned mega fuel service station was pacesetter in the current drive to reposition the Nigerian Army for contemporary realities.

He explained that the project was in line with his vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles, emphasising that the Service had also diversified attention into areas that would improve the welfare and well-being of the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel, their families and the civil populace.

He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous support and for standing solidly behind the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating the insecurity in the northeast.

Lt. Gen. Buratai also told the gathering that the Nigerian Armed Forces had made appreciable progress in the fight against terror and implored Nigerian Army personnel to continue to remain professionally responsive and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The fuel service station has four pumps for petrol and one each for Diesel and Kerosene including a Supermarket and a Mechanic Workshop.

It will operate a 24-hour service daily and the military plans to replicate the project in Enugu, Ibadan, Kaduna, Lagos, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Abuja among others. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Lt. Gen. Buratai.