The Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said the resolve of his government to commit N500m to the establishment of the first phase of the Nigerian Army Training Area located at Falgore forest is aimed at crushing activities of bandits and terrorists in the region.
Delivering his speech at the foundation stone laying ceremony on Thursday, Ganduje explained that the construction of the facility in the 1000 square kilometer forest is not by accident but a product of adequate consultation and planning by the state government in order to dislodge the activities of criminals.
He said, “this occasion for the laying of the foundation for the construction of facilities for military training here in Falgore forest is not by accident but by divine and by adequate consultation and planning by Kano State Government.”
He explained further that the N500m facility made up of administrative blocks dormitory, cafeteria and other buildings were constructed as phase one of the project while the contract for the construction of an access road to the facility has since been awarded under the state ministry of works.
“I contacted the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and briefed him of my intention to provide some facility for the Sambisa Forest and he consented to that. He directed me to see the Chief of the Army Staff and brief him of my intention.
“I was with the army and they agreed that they would collaborate with us in order to get some facility for the military here.
“We are spending N500m for the phase one of this project and I have just directed that an access road should be constructed by the government, the commissioner of works has been directed to design and award the contract for the construction of the road to this facility.”
In his address the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai acknowledged the Kano state governor for his efforts towards ensuring peace and stability in the state and the country adding that the facility will serve as a training and operational center for the military.
“I, therefore, wish to, most respectfully acknowledge the contribution of the executive Governor of Kano state Abdullahi Ganduje for security, peace, and stability in Kano state and in Nigeria at large. I am also glad to know that Kano state is one of the most peaceful states today in our dear country Nigeria.
