Authorities of the Nigerian Army, yesterday, raised alarm
over the negative impact of inadequate funding for military operations
currently going on in the North-East and other parts of the country, noting
that the development needed to be addressed urgently.Nigeria Army Chief of
Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abdullah Muraina
disclosed this in Jos, yesterday, even as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General
Kenneth Minimah who spoke in a similar tone said that ethno-religious crisis
and terrorism has left serious financial demand on the Nigeria Army.The two
generals made their remarks during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Army Finance
Corps Warrant Officers/Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Training Week, 2014
holding at the Headquarters of the Infantry Course Centre, Jaji, Kaduna
State.Muraina said: “Apart from the limitations of the envelope system, the
Nigeria Army is enmeshed in the bureaucratic bottleneck for funding approvals
for military operations.“Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is
inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the
welfare of the Nigerian Army. This calls for a review as the increasing speed
at which the effects of conflict appear in the operational environment will
continue to challenge military commanders”.Consequently Muraina said: “It is
our humble appeal that government could evolve other means of funding and
supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocation.“Such
means include but is not limited to strategic co-operation and liaison with
other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment”.He
suggested that, “a special operations fund could be included in the defence
budget and placed under the control of the Chief of Army Staff for immediate
disbursement to the required operation areas”, adding that “our focus is to
provide financial management support to the Nigerian Army across the full
spectrum of operations during this period of security challenges”.Explaining
the magnitude of the problem, the CAB said: “This year, N4.8billion was
allocated for capital projects for the Nigerian Army. Of this amount, because of
the security challenges, the army decided to buy ballistic helmets and
fragmented jackets (2 items) for 20, 000 soldiers, at a cost of $1500, it will
amount to about N3billion. Meanwhile, about nine items are needed for the
soldiers”.The COAS, on his part said: “No doubt, you are aware of the
increasing wave of socio-political and ethno-religious crisis threatening the
nation’s security lately. This has assumed a higher dimension, witnessing spate
of bombings and attacks on vulnerable points and other strategic areas of
interest to the country. This has left serious demands on the Nigeria Army
resources.“We also know that funding is fundamental to containing security
challenges. Success in this pursuit, therefore calls for prudent and efficient
management and application of funds. I envision an Army that will effectively
manage its available resources to be able to meet contemporary challenges”, he
said. About 150 non-commissioned officers are attending the course, expected to
end next Friday
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Nigerian army was allocated 4.8 billion while diezani flew chattered planes which amounted to 10 billion and yet we want to win the war on terror never.
ReplyDeleteChaiiiiiiiii too bad fg do something oooo God dey
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