The Nigerian Navy has constructed and equipped a new maternity ward in a primary healthcare centre at Abwor-Dyis, Lankang District of Pankshin Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau.
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), inaugurated the project on Thursday.
Represented by Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman, the Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Abbas said that the project was part of the Quick Impact Projects initiated by the Navy.
He said that the gesture was aimed at promoting Civil Military Cooperation in rural communities.
The CNS explained that the project was done in honour of Rear Admiral Naan-Manle Damtong, the Chief of Naval Engineering, an indigene of the community.
He added that the gesture would go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of the people in the ongoing peace operations in the state.
Abbas maintained that the initiative was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.
“This gesture is an avenue for the Nigerian Navy to honour its accomplished senior officers.
“It is an indication that beyond physically securing lives and property, we are committed to serving the interests of Nigerians through other ways.
“Not only that this project resonate with the vision of the Bola Tinubu administration, it captures the essence of the quick impact initiative as conceived by the Nigerian Navy.
“The choice of this maternity ward is to address maternal mortality in Abwor-Dyis and adjoining communities,” he said.
The CNS, however, called on residents of the community to use the facility responsibly.
Earlier, Naan-Manle, who thanked the CNS for initiating the project in his honour, said that the facility would no doubt ameliorate the sufferings of his kinsmen.
Naan-Manle, who decried the absence of a functional maternity ward in the community, described the CNS’s intervention as ‘timely’
“This project will open the doors to good health, dignity to the people and will address maternal mortality in this community,” he said.
Speaking, Mr Felix Gunung, Chairman of Pankshin LGA, thanked the Navy for the gesture, adding that the move would compliment government’s efforts towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
He particularly commended Damtong for distinguishing himself in his military career and for giving back to his community.
He called on other well meaning indigenes of the community to take a queue from Damtong by contributing towards the growth and development of the community.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Mupun, Mr Yusuf Fwangbring, thanked the CNS for honouring their son with a life-saving intervention.
He assured the Nigerian Navy that the facility would be put to proper use by the people. (NAN)
