Business mogul and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has commenced the construction of a 30-bed capacity hospital worth N500 million at the Nigerian Customs Service located at the Zone-D Headquarters in Bauchi
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Nigeria Customs Barrack Monday in Bauchi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Office (CEO) of Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Initiative for Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa to fulfil the pledges made to security agencies across Nigeria.
Udoh explained that ASR Africa has engaged with all the beneficiaries of the security grant and is on track to ensure the implementation of all projects selected by the armed forces and security agencies, adding, “This state-of-the-art medical edifice in Bauchi State is valued at N500 million.”
Udoh thanked the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service for partnering with ASR Africa on the project, adding that the groundbreaking happened after the presentation of letters of award to Nigeria’s security agencies in December 2022.
Responding, the Comptroller of Nigeria Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, thanked the Chairman of ASR Africa for the grant awarded to the agency.
He said the gesture is worthy of mention as it is the first of such a huge donation to the Nigeria Customs Service from any organization.
“We are indeed very grateful to be proud recipient of this particular project which we hope will enhanced the capacity and welfare of our personnel and the host community,” he said.
Adeniyi explained that the mandate of the Nigerian Customs is very clear, emphasising generating revenue for the country, controlling and managing smuggling and facilitating trades.
“These are onerous responsibility to be discharge by the Officers of the Nigeria Custom Service. And for the effective delivery of this mandate, we have to look after the welfare of our officers, we have to be concern about the plights of their families.We also have to look after the thoughts and plights of the community where we operate and this is why Nigeria Customs Service has put in place a reburst welfare programme to take care and carter the needs of our officers.”
“Under the current projects, Nigeria Customs Service has obligation to put up a number of medical facilities in all our zonal headquarters. We have a project that is ongoing in Zone-A in Lagos, we have one in Kaduna, we have one Port Harcourt and we are happy that we have a reputable partner that have chosen to work with us to deliver a World class 30 bed hospital here in Zone-D Bauchi.
“We also equally note that you are not doing this just for the Nigerian Customs Service, your similar initiatives for other security agencies, this is what we call a real CSR obligation. We want to sincerely on behalf of all other security agencies of government to expressed our gratitude to Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative doing these projects. ”
During his visit to the immediate past Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, in December 2022, Rabiu announced a grant of N10 billion to the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies.
The grant is aimed at providing support for security agencies in the country to effectively and efficiently fulfill their mandate to the Nigerian people.
Other beneficiaries include the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of Secret Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
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