The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede has inaugurated a solar-powered water project in Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Mr Oloyede said the borehole project is to strengthen civil-military relations and increase access to clean water and the well-being of the community.

The army chief, represented by the commandant of the Depot Nigeria Army, Mohammed-Aminu Abdullahi, said the inauguration was also part of the army’s corporate social responsibility.

He added that the inauguration of the newly constructed solar borehole for the Unguwan-Kanawa community in Zaria commemorated the Depot Nigerian Army Centenary Celebration.

“The initiative for this borehole project was conceived by the COAS as a medium of giving back to our host community, having enjoyed 100 years of cordial relationship and peaceful coexistence.

“There is no doubt that Sabon Gari community and, by extension, the entire Zaria city have been a good host to Depot Nigerian Army from inception till date.

“As Depot NA celebrates its historic 100 years of existence with the host community, it becomes necessary to reciprocate the warm embrace you gave the Army as our good host throughout these years,” he said.

The army chief noted that the Nigerian Army was very grateful for the hospitality and appealed for a more rewarding relationship with the people of the Sabon Gari community and Zaria.

In his remarks, Hussaini Abdullahi, ward head of the Unguwar Kanawa community, commended the army for the initiative.

He added that the army had made a similar gesture at Jushin Waje, Sabon Gari Local Government and distributed drugs to the community.

Mr ABdullahi assured the COAS that the community would judiciously use the project.

The community leader also appealed to the army chief for more enrollment of youths in the area into the army during the army’s recruitment exercises.

(NAN)