Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Chief of the Air Workers (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has cautioned establishments and communities positioned round NAF Bases nationwide to desist from unlawful and wanton encroachment on NAF lands in view of its penalties on nationwide safety.
In response to Director of Public Relations and Info, Nigerian Air Drive,
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the CAS said this lately whereas on a go to to the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father (Dr) Hyacinth Alia at Authorities Home, Makurdi to debate points associated to encroachment on NAF land by neighbouring communities across the Base in Makurdi.
Air Marshal Abubakar additionally revealed that although the NAF has contained the encroachment alongside the western boundary of the Base by fencing off encroached parts, the issue persists alongside the jap boundary.
The CAS additionally famous that the potential lack of 1,537.8 hectares out of the 4,486 hectares of NAF land translating to a lack of 34 p.c of the land initially allotted in 1977 would adversely distort the strategic intent of siting the NAF Command in Makurdi.
“Ceding such a good portion of NAF land would restrict the required area for medium and long run infrastructural growth needed for future operational readiness and functionality growth,” he said.
These, based on the CAS, are along with speedy safety and security considerations which can be obvious with such boundary discount.
Air Marshal Abubakar, nevertheless, recommended the Governor for agreeing to ascertain a tripartite committee to hunt an enduring resolution to the difficulty.
The committee, comprising representatives from the Benue State Authorities, the NAF and affected communities, has been tasked with discovering a decision that satisfies all events concerned.
Whereas reiterating the dedication of the NAF to including worth in ongoing efforts to finish communal clashes, banditry, kidnapping and different types of criminality in Benue State, Air Marshal Abubakar additionally recommended Governor Alia for his assist to the NAF in Benue State in addition to his monumental strides and zeal in direction of fixing problems with insecurity within the state.
It is very important observe that the 4,486 hectares of land presently serving as the house Base of Tactical Air Command in Makurdi was allotted to the NAF in 1977 as depicted by the Signature Plan signed by the then Governor of Benue State, Colonel Abdullahi Shellenge.
The siting of NAF Base on the location was to fulfill set operational and strategic Nationwide Safety aims. Nonetheless, the land has considerably suffered from encroachment through the years leading to protracted land disputes between the NAF and neighbouring communities.
Earlier efforts to resolve these disputes have failed to realize desired outcomes. Though the NAF has contained the encroachment alongside the western boundary of the Base by fencing off encroached parts, the issue nonetheless persists alongside the jap boundary of the bottom.
