The Nigerian Navy has taken a major step to improve personnel welfare with the inauguration of a new accommodation block for senior ratings at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny, Rivers State.
The move is part of ongoing efforts to upgrade base infrastructure and enhance living conditions for naval personnel.
The commissioning ceremony was led by Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command.
He lauded the Commanding Officer of FOB Bonny, Commodore Emmanuel Fingesi, for prioritising welfare projects and addressing persistent accommodation shortages for junior and senior naval staff.
“This facility reflects purposeful leadership and demonstrates how strategic investments in infrastructure can boost morale, discipline, and operational readiness within the Navy,” Rear Admiral Okehie said.
The event was attended by senior officers, including Rear Admiral Chinonyerem Oji, Command Operations Officer of the Eastern Naval Command, and Rear Admiral Cajetan Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder.
Lt Commander Sirajo Almustapha, Base Operations Officer at FOB Bonny, explained that the new building, known as the Senior Rates Lodge, was conceived and executed entirely under the leadership of Commodore Fingesi.
Work on the project began on August 22, 2025, and was completed on December 30, 2025.
The lodge is designed to accommodate 20 rooms but can house 62 senior ratings, effectively resolving a long-standing shortage of suitable living quarters for this group of personnel.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to maintaining high standards of discipline and professionalism while providing practical solutions to welfare challenges,” Lt Commander Almustapha said.
He added that the lodge has been fully furnished and equipped, ensuring comfort and functionality for all residents.
Rear Admiral Okehie emphasised that such initiatives not only improve living conditions but also strengthen operational efficiency.
“When personnel have their welfare needs met, they are more motivated and better prepared to execute their duties,” he said.
The new facility is part of a broader wave of infrastructural upgrades at FOB Bonny under Commodore Fingesi’s leadership.
These projects, which include improvements in logistics, accommodation, and operational support, aim to enhance the overall readiness and effectiveness of the naval base.
