CNS Abbas lauds NNS DELTA Commander, Tasiu, crew for transforming base with development projects

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has congratulated the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA, Shehu Mohammed Tasiu and his team for the transformation of the naval base through several developmental and welfare projects.

The commendation was made by Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Suleiman Dantsoho Ibrahim, on behalf of Vice Admiral Abbas during the commissioning of projects at the base on Monday.

Projects awarded include car parks, lawn tennis and volley ball courts, the Executive Officer’s institutional house and a 30-room self-contained accommodation for senior rates.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim, while speaking at the event, said the developmental strides recorded at the base were a reflection of exemplary leadership and commitment to service delivery by the commander and project team.

I have to give special thanks to the Commander, NNS DELTA and the whole project team. “Your exemplary leadership and quality works delivery have transformed this Base,” he said.

“I have observed the different developmental strides you have taken, aside the new projects we see today and I commend your dedication to the Service and to the officers and ratings under you.

Naval Chief said several other projects executed under Tasiu’s leadership have significantly improved the working and living environment within the Base.

“Beginning with the upgrade of the multipurpose hall, which has been a good venue for briefings and hosting of events, to the extensive renovations and air conditioning installations in the administrative block, these projects have drastically improved the working environment for our staff,” said Ibrahim.

He also commended the improvement of the corps members’ lodge, saying it was an indication of the command’s concern for the comfort and welfare of members of the National Youth Service Corps serving at the Base.

“These projects as diverse as they are, have one thing in common, they were all inspired by your resourcefulness, integrity, appreciation for quality and rejection of the norm. “Good work, Commander,” he said.

Ibrahim added that the newly commissioned projects were a reflection of operational readiness, strategic partnership and administrative excellence.

“What we are witnessing today is not only the opening of structures, but the concrete expression of operational readiness, strategic partnership and administrative excellence,” he said.

The Chief of Naval Staff also praised Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the accommodation projects in the Base.

“I must especially thank and acknowledge our esteemed partners, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, for their generous and patriotic sponsorship of two critical welfare projects,” he said.

He said the projects would boost the morale and welfare of the naval personnel.

“These project sponsorships are a perfect example of what can be achieved when the private sector partners with the Navy’s vision for improved living standards. “Tantita has directly boosted the morale of our workforce by providing decent transit accommodation for our senior rates and a befitting institutional house for our Executive Officer,” he said.

Ibrahim asked the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the base to keep the facilities well maintained and continue to be professional and operationally excellent.

“A commissioned project is only as good as its maintenance. Security is our highest mandate. “Don’t let the comfort of the new facilities dull your edge,” he cautioned.

Commodore Tasiu said earlier the projects were expected to improve the welfare and operational efficiency of personnel serving at the base.

“These projects didn’t happen by chance. They happened because of deliberate support, a clear vision and a common belief that those who protect our waters deserve good facilities, including decent homes, he said.

“We will ensure that the facilities are well maintained and used for their intended purposes,” he assured.

In his vote of Thanks, the Executive Officer (XO) Capt. Daniel Beecroft thanked the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim for his support from the conceptualisation stage of the projects to its completion.

“I thank the FOC, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim for his unquantifiable support in ensuring that these projects moved from conceptualisation to completion,” he said.

He also commended TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited for its efforts in the development of the naval base and the welfare of personnel.

He said, “To TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, your huge contributions and generosity have been of immense support to the development and welfare of naval personnel.

The partnership, he said, is an example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate to bolster national security and support those serving on the front lines.

“Accommodation is one of the major challenges we have and this project has addressed that concern to a very large extent. A lot of our personnel living off-base can now move into the barracks, which will increase their safety and reduce the transportation burden,” he said.

Capt Beecroft assured that the facilities would be well maintained and put to good use to support operational efficiency and personnel welfare at the base.

Speaking in separate chats with newsmen at the event, other guests lauded the leadership of Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA and TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited for the developmental projects, describing them as timely interventions that would improve personnel welfare, operational efficiency and the overall working environment at NNS DELTA.