Tag: Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has said that true and lasting peace in insecurity-prone areas could be achieved through good governance and development initiatives.

He said since kinetic military actions alone, “no matter how decisive”, cannot fully eradicate insurgency, the federal government has initiated several initiatives that would empower the youth and propel development in troubled states.

The Air Chief said this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone Cargo Airport in Kainji, Niger State.

The Hydropolis Free Trade Zone is designed as a state-of-the-art industrial park, implemented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution concept, with a smart city, aimed at promoting Nigeria’s industrialization.

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According to Air Marshal Abubakar, the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, anchored by the Airport Project, would serve as a hub for opportunity, job creation, and sustainable development for future generations.

He added that the project has the potential to significantly reduce insecurity in Niger State by creating job opportunities for youths who might be drawn into banditry and other criminal activities.

He said: “Large-scale infrastructure projects like this are crucial not only for economic growth but also for fostering communities where opportunities flourish, thereby reducing the discontent that often fuels insecurity.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), Colonel Sani Bello (Rtd) emphasized the cordial relationship between the company and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

He said the NAF has continued to assist MESL with access to its airfield facilities, while MESL had also undertaken some humanitarian projects at NAF Base, Kainji.

Bello said NAF had frequently conducted missions to provide air patrols and reconnaissance to secure Kainji, Jebba, and Zungeru HydroElectric Power Stations which are operated by MESL.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has appealed to the Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, over the poor infrastructure at the Naval Base in Gombe.

Abubakar, during a visit to the Gombe State Government House, condemned the state of the infrastructure at the naval base.

He called on the governor to assist in improving the infrastructure at the base in the state, by making it more conducive.

While soliciting the governor’s support for the naval base he said, “This will enable us to operationalise and enhance facilities at the base more expediently. Any assistance will go a long way in ensuring the base is fully operationalised as quickly as possible.”

He decried the lack of potable water supply, electricity, and roads within their newly acquired base in Gombe.

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The air chief further stated that, “The presence of the Nigerian Air Force in Gombe State began humbly in 2015 with the establishment of the 175 Nigerian Air Force detachment.

“Thereafter, the state graciously allocated over 230 acres of land at the Lawanti International Airport. This prompted us to establish the 109 Combat Renaissance Group in 2019 to serve as a hub for systems operations for the Nigerian Air Force.

“We have made progress, but unfortunately, this progress has been hampered by a lack of infrastructure, accommodation, and other facilities needed to support our personnel and technologically advanced platforms which we plan to deploy.”

While lamenting that the base is not connected to the national grid, Abubakar said that “the point where we would connect from is very expensive because we need transformers and cabling.”

The governor therefore promised to address some of their requests, particularly the provision of water, constructing structures, and maintaining strict adherence to protocols before allocating lands close to the base.

“We thank you for your support to the state; Gombe State will continue to support and stand by you,” Yahaya said.