Muhammad Tukur
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting delivery of 50 brand new aircraft in the next two years and some would be stationed in Adamawa State to help towards containing insecurity in the northeast region.
The Chief Air Staff, Air Masha Hassan Bala revealed this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Fintiri as part of his vist in the state to tour operational units of Nigerian Airforce.
He assured the Governor that the skies above Yola will be roaring with state-of-the-art fighter aircraft soon to ensuring the full restoration of peace in the Northeast and other trouble areas in the country.
Air Marshal Bala said though the state is still batting with some security challenges such as kidnappings, menace of Shilla Boys among others and assured steadfast commitment of NAF to contain it.
On the over N644 million outstanding ground and penal rents, NAF owed the state government, the Airfoce Boss solicits with Governor Umaru Fintiri to consider granting the NAF waiver for payment of the annual ground rent.
“Recently, the NAF received a letter from the Adamawa State Ministry of Lands &
Survey and Messrs TRV unify Solutions Ltd that was contracted as the sole revenue consultants by the State Government.
“They are demanding for payment of outstanding annual ground and penal rents on the NAF permanent site land. The accrued amount from Year 2000 -2024 totalled N644,132,000.00,” he said.
The Chie of Air Staff appealed to Governor Fintiri to extend the drainage constructed at Saminaka up to the Airfoce Comprehensive School fence, where it will join a water channel that connects with the Walawa Gugu stream.
He said as a result of the construction of this drainage, large volume of water that flows through these drainages discharges across the NAF land causing erosion and posing serious threat to the fence of the AFCS.
The Airfoce Boss acknowledges the transformational leadership of Governor Fintiri which he said has impacted positively on the lives and livelihoods of the good people of Adamawa State.
Responding, Governor Fintiri applauded the Nigerian Air Force for fostering collaboration with the state government and carrying out its mandate to keep the state and country safe from security challenges.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue to support and cooperate with the security in the overall interest of the people.
He expressed dissatisfaction over the Air Force decision to deploy helicopters out of the state and called for equitable distribution of equipment to all states as no state should be treated higher than the other.
Governor Fintiri who called for urgent action on the reconstruction of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Gombi and Madagali Local Government Areas on the hectares of land allocated to the Air force by the state government to meet its target.
On some areas of concern raised by the Chief of Air Staff,the Governor said government has no intention to leave any part of the state undeveloped as such directed the ministry of works to wade into the issue of erosion around the NAF comprehensive school immediately as he promised to look into the issue of ground rate
He commended all security agencies for collaborating with the state government to stamp down menace of shila cult group, kidnapping among other issues of insecurity.
