The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso, in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, on Friday inaugurated a jetty waiting room in the Liama community.

The community is one of the FOB’s hosts in Egweama and Beletieama.

The commanding officer, FOB Formoso, Captain Sunday Haruna, said the project was in fulfilment of a promise he made to the community when he first assumed duty.

He said, luckily, when the navy celebrated its 70th anniversary, it deemed it fit to revisit the small project, which is impactful to the community, because during periods of rain, people travelling could take shelter there.

“Today, we have been able to achieve it. We are officially handing it over to the host community,” he said.

He urged the community to look at the impact rather than the size of the structure, promising to always support the community whenever they called on the navy.

The commanding officer said the community had been very supportive of the Nigerian navy and that, on the 70th anniversary, they wanted to present the finished project to them.

Mr Haruna said the navy wanted to ensure that all the communities around them feel the impact of its 70th anniversary.

“We know we cannot do much, but this waiting room is important for the community while waiting for a boat to convey them.

“We look at it that doing things like this will help build mutual trust between us and the community.

“We also look at it as part of the corporate social responsibility of the Nigerian navy to give back to our host communities. This community has become an integral part of our base and our operations, and we need to make sure that we carry them along,” he said.

On his part, Monday Otuka, a community leader, commended the navy for the jetty waiting room, promising that they will make good use of it. 

(NAN)