Angola: Angolan Minister of National Defence and Veterans of the Nation Lºcio do Amaral on Saturday instructed the acceleration of the restoration of deteriorated military infrastructure and the construction of new barracks to improve accommodation and training conditions for troops.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister was speaking during a working visit to the Army School of Trades and Crafts in the commune of Mabubas, Dande Municipality, in northern Angola's province of Bengo, where he assessed the condition of the institution's facilities, which have been inactive and have not trained military personnel since 2017. 'I am genuinely concerned about some infrastructure that is deteriorating. I believe we must act quickly to restore it and place it at the service of our trainees,' he said.
Lºcio do Amaral explained that an assessment of the school's needs would be carried out before intervention priorities and construction works are defined. The institution's management identified among its main needs the strengthening of training resources, the improvement of existing infrastructure and the construction of a headquarters building for the unit. 'Now that there is a need, we will indeed train and prepare personnel so that they can fulfil the duties entrusted to them,' the minister said.
Lºcio do Amaral also instructed the management of the Army School of Trades and Crafts to preserve existing facilities and plan the construction of new infrastructure in line with the institution's requirements.
More than 1,500 military personnel trained
The deputy commander of the Army School of Trades and Crafts in Mabubas, Lieutenant Colonel Jemito Domingos, said the institution has already trained 1,525 military personnel in civil construction. The school also organised the eighth complementary combat engineer course, attended by 237 personnel, including 37 officers of the National Police. The disciplines taught include electrical installation, civil construction, plumbing, metalworking, welding, carpentry and painting.
Jemito Domingos welcomed the minister's visit, saying the initiative could help raise the level of commitment within the institution and reinforce values such as discipline, loyalty and integrity. Located in Mabubas, Bengo Province, the Army School of Trades and Crafts is a military educational institution under the Army Command through the Directorates of Engineering and Infrastructure and Education. The school main mission is to train and develop military personnel in various support and service areas, contributing to the strengthening of the technical capabilities of the Angolan Armed Forces.
