By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu – Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has applauded the Federal Government for equipping the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to tackle the current security crisis in the country.
Ugwuanyi made the commendation at the ground breaking ceremony of the Nigerian Air force Headquarter Ground Training Command (GTC) Complex in Enugu on Wednesday.
He noted that the complex, when completed would re-enforce the atmosphere of peace and security in Enugu State.
The governor also thanked the chief of air staff and other NAF personnel for their decision to establish the training complex in the state.
Ugwuanyi pointed out that the location of the Headquarter GTC in Enugu State would also increase socio-economic activities of residents of the state.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the establishment of the complex in Enugu State was in response to the security challenges in country.
Abubakar explained that upon his appointment as Chief of Air Staff in 2015, he approved a vision to reposition the Nigerian Air Force into a highly and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective and efficient service delivery.
He said the vision was part of the restructuring of the air force to promote projection of air power through the establishment of the new command complex.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for delivering two additional helicopters to bring the number of aircraft in the air force to 18.
He said that the air force had been using the air planes effectively to fight the current insurgency in the North East.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding, AVM. Samson Akpasa, said that the Enugu GTC Complex was one of the six commands established for efficient and effective security in Nigeria. (NAN)