The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, has said the Nigerian government must spend money in order to effectively tackle security challenges in the country.
Buratai who state this yesterday at a budget defence with the House of Representatives committee on army also requested for the sum of N472.8 billion for the army in the 2019 fiscal year.
He lamented that the Nigerian Army had for years grappled with paucity of fund but however, remained resilient and dedicated to the discharge of its constitutional roles explaining that the ministry of budget and national planning proposed a N32.4 billion budge for the army, which is not adequate.
“If you really want to stamp out insecurity, you must be able to spend more. We would have ended these insurgency long ago, if not for issues of funding”
Buratai prayed the committee, to approve the sum of N350.9 billion for the Nigerian Army personnel emoluments in the 2019 Budget.
He equally prayed that, the sum of N43.6 billion be approved for the 2019 Nigerian Army overhead, while the sum of N78.5 billion should be approved for the Nigerian Army 2019 capital budget.
The army boss equally urged the committee to to prevail on the ministry of budget and national planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the existing budget envelope system in view of the ongoing structural changes.
He explained that, the Nigerian Army was able to cope with the financial concerns due to the relative peace and peaceful environment across the country adding that “this was prior to the emergence of insecurity and other hostile activities of violence non-state actors”
The army chief stressed that, due to the spread of violence across the country, the Nigerian Army had expanded from five to eight Divisions.
He further said that Nigerian Army was currently engaged in war against insurgency in the North East and other criminal elements in the North West as well as in the North Central.
Giving details of implementation of the 2018 budget, Buratai disclosed that as part of efforts to rid the country of terrorist activities, the Nigerian Army established, the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare, Land Forces Simulation Center and the Nigerian Army Aviation, among others.
He said the envelope system was not conducive for the army due to the volatile security environment and massive engagement of troops in virtually all the States of the federation.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Army was committed to securing the territorial integrity of the country from any form of violation.
He said that the clearance operation will rid Nigeria of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists and other groups, are currently on going.
According to him, the Army Chief stated that, the Nigerian Army, launched the Habin Kunama 3 in Zamfara State.
He added that, timely implementation of the 2019 Budget will enhance the fulfilments of the constitutional roles of the Nigerian Army.
Responding, chairman of the House committee on army, Hon. Riman Shawulu said they will set up a sub committee to interface with the Senate to look into the 2019 budget proposal
