INCREASE ALLOCATION BY #18bn IN 2018 BUDGET TO ENABLE EFFECTIVE BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM, VANDALISM AND VICES - NIGERIAN ARMY DEMANDS

The Nigerian Army through the chief of Army Staff on Thursday during a budget defense session with the House Committee on Army has demanded an approval of additional #18bn to ensure an effective and more successful combat against terrorism, pipeline vandalism and other vices.

It also requested her removal from the Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) AKA Envelop budget office of the Federation. According to Lt. Gen. Buratai, (the Chief of Army Staff). This will help in improving the efficiency of Army operations against crimes. He argued that the expected flexibility resulting from the this is needed to improve strategies against current forms of insurgencies in the country.

Brutai said that at least #39,800 billion capital components is required. It had requested #261.6bn, but the budget office only approved #233.05bn.

This #18bn increase he said was to allow the Army tackle some of its basic issues including its increasing accommodation deficit, high demand for operational equipments, vehicles, arms and ammunitions, in its various operation areas across the country.

Buratai noted that in compliance with the budget ceiling given by the ministry of budget and national planning, only N21.623 billion was proposed and that the disparity between the actual capital budget requirement and the ceiling instituted by the ministry of budget and national planning is a “matter that calls for a more in-depth consideration by the National Assembly.”

In Burutai's “My passionate appeal for N18.177 billion over the ceiling capital appropriation, if approved by this hallowed chamber will enable the Army procure the strategic assets and platforms needed to support the implementation of ORBAT 2016.

“This will also boost the operational activation of the newly established Divisions (6,7, and 8), cater for the deficiency of arms, ammunitions as well as uniforms to kit the NA personnel

“I wish to state that the approval will ultimately enhance the functionality of the Nigerian Army Aviation corps which is established to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Airforce and Joint Task Force (JTF) to combat terrorism, pipeline vandalism and other security challenges”

Lawmakers agreed that because of current challenges being faced by the Army to tackle insurgency, there was need for it to have some measure of budgetary flexibility, and so the need to remove it from the envelop budgeting system.

Hon Roman Shawulu, Chairman of the committee, pointed out that many Army barracks across the country are in bad conditions and suggested construction of new ones instead of renovation.