The Nigerian Army on Wednesday declared that paucity of funds has continued to hamper the efficiency of soldiers, who are expected to counter the fire power of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, which has continued to unleash terror on residents of the north-eastern part of the country.
The insurgents are reported to have killed no fewer than 12,000 Nigerians since it launched its attack on Borno, Adamawa and Yobes states, forcing the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the states since last year.
The National Assembly just endorsed the Federal Government’s request for the extension of the emergency rule for another six months.
The soldiers, citing inadequate funding, insisted that they could not meet the challenges of tackling the current insurgents’ activities in the land.
“Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army,” the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army),Maj-Gen. Abdullahi Muraina, said on Wednesday at Jaji, near Kaduna at a training for the Nigerian Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned officers.
Muraina noted that apart from inadequate funding, the Army was enmeshed in bureaucratic bottlenecks for funding approvals for military operations across the country, urging the Federal Government to evolve other means of funding ad supporting military operations aside from the usual budgetary allocations.
According to him, there is the need for a special operation fund to be included in defence budget and placed under the control of the Chief of Army Staff.
He said, “This calls for a review as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflicts appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge commanders.
“It is our humble appeal that government could evolve other means of funding and supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocations.
“Such means include but not limited to strategic cooperation and liaison with other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment.
“A special operation fund could be included in defence budget and placed under the control of of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“The increasing dynamic environment coupled with continued technological development in the country and our immediate neighbours have spurred the Nigerian Army to place high premium on efficiency, proficiency and professionalism of officers and soldiers.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Kenneth Minimah, lamented the increasing wave of socio-political and ethno-religious crises threatening the nation’s security.
0 comments:
Post a Comment