Navy Expands Community Intervention Drive, Inaugurates Three Solar-powered Boreholes in Surulere

The Nigerian Navy has furthered its community intervention program by introducing three solar-powered boreholes in Ward F2, Surulere, Lagos State, according to official statements. This initiative, carried out under the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, was inaugurated to honor Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, whose roots lie in the community.

Despite being occupied with national security duties, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of the Naval Staff, was represented at the event by Rear Admiral Chijioke Onyemaobi. The Navy's action aims to strengthen the bond between its personnel and local communities, demonstrating its commitment to addressing residents' needs, particularly in terms of essential services like potable water.

Onyemaobi highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Navy's broader strategy of civil-military cooperation, which seeks to not only bolster security but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of communities nationwide. He emphasized that access to clean water is fundamental to public health, sanitation, education, commerce, and overall community development.

The Surulere project was deemed timely due to the critical importance of water supply in these aspects. Onyemaobi appealed to residents to take responsibility for the facilities, prevent vandalism, and ensure their upkeep to benefit current and future generations. He commended Ogunleye for recognizing potable water as a priority and leveraging the intervention scheme to deliver a project that would directly benefit the community.

The Chief of Naval Transformation explained that the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project is tailored for senior naval officers, specifically Rear Admirals, to contribute to community development. The scheme allows these officers to identify pressing local needs and select projects, ranging from water supply and electricity to roads, healthcare, and education.

The idea is to leverage the geographical distribution of senior officers across Nigeria to bring development to various communities within the six geopolitical zones.

Ogunleye, speaking at the event, expressed gratitude to Vice Admiral Abbas for allowing him to return to his hometown and contribute to its development. He detailed that a needs assessment conducted in collaboration with community leaders and the Community Development Association led to the selection of potable water as the priority. The project includes three solar-powered boreholes, three 12,000-litre water storage tanks, and filtration units strategically placed within the community.

Hon. Sulaiman Bamidele Yusuf, the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government, praised the Navy for initiating the project and pledged continued support for its maintenance. Yusuf highlighted the significance of civil-military cooperation, stating that the local government and community would seek further partnerships with the Nigerian Navy to attract additional development projects to Surulere.

He underscored the importance of the potable water facilities in improving residents' access to safe water and strengthening the relationship between the Navy and the people of Ward F2.