Jaji: Military, civilians in fresh bond of friendship
Last year, twin bomb blasts rocked the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna and the incident inflicted pains and sorrows on many families. But instead of worsening the relationship between the soldiers and the civilian communities, it has rather strengthened the relationship between the two, reports
hindrance.”
Staff Officer, Quantity Survey and Civil Engineering, AFCSC, Colonel Shakiru Egun Jobi while highlighting some of the capital projects executed by the college under the present commandant, said 30 families have so far benefited from the renovation package.
He said “with the upgrade of facilities especially sporting facilities, both civilians and military personnel participate in sporting activities unlike before.”
Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal Eko Effion Osim said he has adopted various security measures to prevent any anti- social behavior, while maintaining a cordial relationship with the members of the community.
“We came in here when the insecurity was at its peak and since then, we have put in place all the security measures to ensure that no major incidents occur and those measures have really helped,” he said.
“We blocked all the illegal access roads into the Cantonment, putting up observation posts, installed CCTVs, and do a lot of patrols. We have also established a lot of check points especially inside the communities which is yielding results. We have had relative peace and we will continue taking serious security measures to ensure that the peace we are enjoying now is sustained,” he added.
He said all the houses damaged during the recent bomb blasts have been repaired.
Colonel Jobi said “There are 19 villages that make up Jaji and Karewa district where the college is situated. We got the district heads in the areas to guide us, we have to employed 100 persons from the villages and made sure the people are from the 19 villages of Jaji and Karewa districts.
“Unfortunately, the villagers did not have the required qualification, but we employed 100 of them and paid them the minimum Federal Government wage of N18, 000 directly into their bank accounts. So far they have been working with the college and with that, the relationship between the civilians and the military has been strengthened economically and in terms of social interaction. We also pay the district heads monthly grants for security,” Jobi said.
He thanked the Federal and Kaduna State governments for the support they have been rendering to the college, especially for the payment of the medical bills of some victims of the bomb blasts. He also expressed happiness for government assistance in creating a western road for the villagers, instead of a thoroughfare through the main barracks entrance, as access roads to their farms or homes.