The Ministry of Defence has taken the first steps towards the renovation of the Ayoko Kazerne (BBZ) in Zanderij. Various building materials and facilities have now been delivered to begin the necessary repair work. The renovation is intended to improve training facilities for military personnel.
The work follows an earlier working visit by Minister of Defence Uraiqit Ramsaran to the military training location. During that visit, it became clear that various buildings and facilities are urgently in need of maintenance. According to the ministry, there has been years of deferred maintenance, making renovation necessary.
For the first phase of the work, materials still available in the ministry’s warehouses will be used. Through this, Defence aims to begin addressing the most urgent problems despite limited financial resources.
The symbolic handover of the materials was carried out by Minister Ramsaran and the commander of the Nationaal Leger (National Army), Brigadier General Mitchel Labadie. Both stressed the importance of the prompt implementation of the work. Preparations for the training of a new group of military personnel are also being taken into account.
Training facilities must be improved
The Ayoko Kazerne is known within the Nationaal Leger as the birthplace of military personnel. The Elementaire Algemene Opleiding (EAO) and the Voortgezette Algemene Opleiding (VAO), among others, are provided at this location.
According to Defence, the strong interest during the recently held recruitment campaign makes it necessary to further improve training facilities. The ministry wants to ensure that new recruits can undergo their military training under proper conditions.
The renovation will be carried out in phases, with the most urgent work receiving priority. The ministry has not yet announced how much money is involved in the renovation project or when all work is to be completed.
According to Defence, the upgrading of the barracks is part of the policy to strengthen the internal organisation of the Nationaal Leger, improve working conditions and support the further professionalisation of the armed forces.
