NAF Constructs
NAF Constructs Aircraft Maintenance Hangar in
Bauchi
In continuation of its sustained efforts at tackling current and
emerging security challenges in the Country, especially in the
North East, North West and North Central parts of the Country, the
Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 1 September 2020, commenced the
construction of an aircraft maintenance hangar at the Special
Operations Command (SOC), Bauchi. Sitting on a plot of land donated
by the Bauchi State Government straddling the NAF Base and the Sir
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport (ATBIA) Bauchi, the
aircraft maintenance hangar, when completed, would not only serve
the NAF and the aviation industry nationwide but would also
drastically reduce the timeframe for turnaround maintenance of NAF
platforms, thereby improving the effectiveness and efficiency of
Air Power employment in the fight against insurgency.
Speaking during the Ground Breaking Ceremony at the project
site, the Guest of Honour, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State,
Senator Bala Mohammed, while commending the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his exemplary,
result-oriented leadership of the NAF, acknowledged the supreme
sacrifice of Service personnel, not only in ensuring the unified
existence of the Country but also in preserving the Country’s
nurtured democracy. According to him, “the success and performance
of the NAF is determined by how well its aircraft are maintained
and sheltered. Therefore, it is indeed a good opportunity to be
part of this epoch-making event as this aircraft maintenance hangar
would serve as a store house and maintenance shelter for the
precious platforms of the NAF and other aircraft that could be
maintained at the hangar”.
The Governor further noted that Bauchi State would benefit both
during and on completion of the project through employment
opportunities for members of host communities. He therefore thanked
the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,
President Muhammadu Buhari, and members of the National Assembly
for appropriating and approving funds for the building of the
aircraft hangar in Bauchi. “President Muhammadu Buhari has
reiterated his commitment to continually support ongoing operations
against Boko Haram, banditry and other forms of criminality in the
country and to equip the military adequately to completely end the
insurgency and overcome all other threats to Nigeria’s national
security. The approval for the construction of this hangar is a
testament of his promise”, he said. While apologizing for the
failure of successive State Administrations for not connecting the
ATBIA to the National Grid, Governor Mohammed said his Government
would make every effort to ensure the Airport is connected to the
Grid as quickly as possible.
In his opening remarks, the CAS stated that the flag-off of the
construction of the aircraft maintenance hangar would significantly
add value to the NAF’s operations in the North East, North West and
indeed the entire Country. He added, gratifyingly, that the
emplacement of the hangar would also ensure that the NAF engineers,
technicians, aircraft and other equipment that were to be deployed
to Bauchi would be protected from the vagaries of weather and thus
operate in a conducive environment. According to him, “By its
strategic location, Bauchi provides our aircraft with the reach
required to adequately respond and provide support to our troops
fighting against insurgency/terrorism in the North East, banditry
in the North West as well as other security challenges in North
Central. I am optimistic that the construction of the aircraft
maintenance hangar will add significant value to efforts at
tackling the current and emerging security challenges in our
Nation. The is because downtime for aircraft maintenance will not
only be greatly reduced but precious flying time used to ferry
aircraft to bases in the South will be preserved”, he
said.
Speaking further, the CAS, while highlighting that the role of
the SOC was very crucial to the NAF’s operations, as a deciding
element in the fight against terrorism and banditry, noted that the
establishment of the Command as well as the Helicopter Overhaul
Centre and Special Operation Forces training in Bauchi were clear
testimonies of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending
insecurity in the North East and indeed the entire country. He
noted that the new facility would ensure a quick turnaround time
for NAF aircraft to allow more hours for operations against
terrorists as well as in support of other government efforts at
providing security.
While pledging that the NAF would continue to work for the
security and unity of the Nation, the CAS expressed gratitude to
the C-in-C, President Muhammadu Buhari, for facilitating the
approval of the budget to construct the hangar, despite competing
economic demands, as well as for his continued support to the
Service towards the achievement of its desired Air Power
objectives. He equally appreciated the Bauchi State Governor for
the support enjoyed by the SOC from the Government and good people
of the State. Air Marshal Abubakar also commended the Air Officer
Commanding (AOC) SOC as well as his officers and men for their hard
work, dedication and sacrifices. He urged them to continue to put
in their best towards ensuring that Nigeria is safe and secured.
“Recall that in the drive to add value to our society and secure
our communities, there is no finishing line”, he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding
Special Operations Command (AOC SOC), Air Vice Marshal Charles
Ohwo, while thanking the CAS for his frequent visits as well as his
continued commitment to the Command, stated that the proposed
aircraft maintenance hangar would undoubtedly improve security
response time in the Zone. This, he said, was because some
maintenance activities, which are currently carried out at NAF
facilities in Kaduna, Port-Harcourt, Lagos and Enugu would, upon
completion of the project, be carried out in Bauchi. He noted that
this would save vital time required to ferry aircraft to these
locations and ultimately improve response time in the various
theatres of conflict. He highlighted that the project would also
serve as an avenue for collaboration between the NAF and various
higher institutions in Bauchi in the area of technology exchange
and capacity building thereby positively impacting the host
community.
Highpoint of the event was the symbolic laying of the foundation
blocks for the aircraft maintenance hangar by the Governor, who was
assisted by the CAS, Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji
(Dr) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, as well as other dignitaries,
including Bauchi State Government officials and senior military
officers.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations & Information
Nigerian Air Force
1 September 2020