Okpebholo assures speedy operationalisation of 83 Division in Edo

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has assured that the temporary facility provided by the state government for the operationalisation of the 83 Division of the Nigerian Army will be ready within the next two weeks.

Okpebholo gave the assurance during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation and development work at the facility in Teboga, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state on Monday in Benin.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of four new divisions of the Nigerian Army in Makurdi (5 Division), Ilorin (9 Division), Jalingo (10 Division), and Benin (83 Division).

The governor said work had already commenced at the site, including environmental sanitation, rehabilitation of existing structures and other necessary preparations.

He said the barracks and other facilities would be ready within the stipulated period, adding that contractors had assured him that more bulldozers would be deployed to accelerate the work.

“The new division is coming to Edo State, so work is already in progress. Cleaning of the environment is already ongoing, while the existing structures are being worked on.

“The barracks and everything will be ready in the next two weeks. We are sure of progress, and a lot of work will be done here.

“The contractor has assured me that he will add more bulldozers to what he already has on site.

“This will enhance the pace of work and ensure the quick delivery of what we expect here,” Okpebholo said.

He said rehabilitation of the existing buildings would continue simultaneously with other construction activities.

The governor said the state was fully prepared to host the division, adding that alternative temporary office spaces were also available for immediate use, if required.

Okpebholo expressed confidence that tremendous progress would be recorded at the site within the next two weeks.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inspection, the Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, said the visit was in furtherance of the directive of President Tinubu.

Balogun said Tinubu’s directive, conveyed through the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, was to ensure the operationalisation of the 83 Division of the Nigerian Army.

He said a team from the Army Headquarters had visited the facility about four or five days earlier as part of efforts to implement the strategic directive.

He commended the governor for making the temporary facility available for the immediate operationalisation of the division.

“Between the last time we came here, about four or five days ago, and now, we have seen tremendous work ongoing in that regard.

“I want to thank the governor for that, and we believe that within the shortest possible time, this place will be ready for the immediate operationalisation of the division as pronounced,” he said.