By YINKA KOLAWOLE

River State government is collaborating with the Nigerian Army to construct 50 blocks of housing units at the Second Brigade Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The five blocks of 10 flats, comprising one bedroom flat each, are being handled by an indigenous contractor and expected to be completed before the end of this year.

At the foundation laying ceremony of the project, Governor Chibuike Amaechi said the construction of the housing units is aimed at boosting the peaceful atmosphere in the state, noting that soldiers discharge their duties better when they are comfortable.

“When the soldiers are comfortable they will do greater works, so we believe this project would improve the security situation in the state. This is to ensure peaceful flow in our state and it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that development can thrive,” he said.

The governor, who was represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. George Feyii, however appealed to the officers to make good use of the property when completed and urged the contractor handling the project to execute it judiciously. He assured the Nigerian Army and other security agencies of government’s readiness to assist them in the discharge of their duties for the benefit and protection of the people of the state.

In his remarks, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Olayinka Akinyemi Oshinowo, said on completion, project would alleviate the problem of accommodation being experienced by soldiers and their families in the garden city. He urged other state governments in the country to emulate the Rivers State government.

The Commander, 2nd Brigade, Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Brigadier-General Tanko Buratai, had earlier noted that apart from the housing units, the state government was also building three model primary schools within the barracks.