The Department of Civil-Military Cooperation, under the office of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin has commissioned five hand-pump boreholes in five communities of Taraba state.
The boreholes were sunk in the benefitting communities as part of the kinetic operations of the military in Taraba state and also to appreciate the communities for embracing peace.
sustainable peace.
He explained that the projects were sited at the various points to address the water shortage faced by communities in the area, in addition to the security provided in the areas.
Represented by Rear Admiral Abdul Adamu, the CDS said the project was initiated by the military in the communities is payback to communities for embracing peace.
He said, “As you are all aware, the military have various operations across the country due to the numerous security challenges. Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) being one of them is covering Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
“These projects were initiated by the CDS, General Gabriel Olanishokon and the purpose of the projects is to sustain the peace we have restored so far using kinetic and non kinetic approaches.
“OPWS the military spike operation in the state is one of the DHQ led operations and we see the need to reward the communities that have embraced peace.
“Now the military operations have been using kinetic operation but the chief of defence staff noticed in his wisdom that there should be this kind of gesture that could yield sustainable peace because when you restore peace in a community, there should be something that could sustain the peace.
“Therefore, the project is meant to cement the civil and military relationship in the state.”
While he advised the communities to live in peace with one another, he observed that, as they lived it peace, it would attract more development.
In his speech, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state commended the CDS for coming to provide water projects to the communities, saying that the water projects would go a long way in complementing efforts of government.
Represented at the occasion by the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Wunuken Agyo acknowledged the performance of OPWS troops in the restoration of law and order in the areas, where destruction of life and property had been the order of the day.
The Governor said, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to people of the state to accord maximum cooperation to the people serving in the Commission of Inquiry for the Jukun/Tiv crisis to be able to proffer solutions to the crisis”
“Before now nobody dare ply the Wukari, Akate and Takum roads due to the activities of armed bandits but with the presence of OPWS, people can now ply the roads freely without harassment and intimation by criminal elements.”
Also speaking at the occasion, the Force Commander, OPWS, Major General Adeyemi Yekini warned the people of the state to desist from harbouring criminal elements in their homes and cooperate with OPWS troops by volunteering information, so as to be able to rid the communities of bandits.