The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has been assured of the full backing of the Nigerian military in realising the lofty road infrastructure objectives of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Giving the assurance, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, while on a courtesy call to the Works Minister, at the Ministry’s conference hall, Mabushi-Abuja, placed on record the strategic importance of roads to national security, stressing the importance of achieving successful military operations against acts of banditry.
Musa commended the glaring determination of the Minister to return Nigeria’s road infrastructure to the path of glory, emphasising the importance of roads to the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
The CDS, according to a statement signed by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Works on Wednesday, said: “We are following your activities on the internet, and we know you’re almost everywhere. I want to commend you for the efforts you are putting in. We know how determined you are to ensure that our roads are back. We all know that without roads, there can be no peace. That’s true for rural areas and urban areas.
“Roads are significant to the growth of any nation. Despite all the challenges, we’ve seen how comments have been made, both professionally and unprofessionally, to your person, but you’ve been strong.
“I want to encourage you, sir, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is solidly behind you. We will continue to provide every necessary support that you require.
“We are just a phone call away. Whatever there is that you would want us to do for you, be rest assured, we will be there, because we know the relevance and importance of having good roads in any society.”
The Chief of Defence Staff also appealed to the Honourable Minister to take into consideration the need for interventions on the deplorable condition of some roads in the North East where bandits are taking advantage of the poor conditions of roads in the area to defy and relegate security operations.
He noted that the areas where the military were recording high casualties of both manpower and equipment, especially in Maiduguri, were the areas the bandits use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in their attacks knowing fully well the deplorable conditions of the roads in those areas.
In his response, the Minister of Works thanked the Defence Chief for the wonderful work the Armed Forces are doing to rejig the security architecture and rid the nation of banditry.
Umahi, particularly thanked Tinubu for the recorded successes in the fight against banditry in Nigeria,. adding that the military deserves the cooperation, support, and solidarity of all Nigerians in their efforts and sacrifices to secure the citizenry.
He decried the recent brutal killing of the military personnel in Okuama, Delta State and thanked the military for their sense of maturity in the face of the needless provocation.
