Army can’t fight terrorists and others with N579 billion, COAS tells the Senate

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Army requested that the Federal Government exempt it from the annual envelope budgeting practiced by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The appeal was made by Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Army to defend the 2022 budget.

Yahaya told the panel that the N579 billion approved for the Nigerian Army for the fiscal year 2022 was insufficient to combat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“In preparing for the year 2022 budget, the Nigerian Army proposed about N710 billion,” he said.

“However, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning reduced the budget ceiling to N579 billion.”

“This reduction would hamper the Nigerian Army’s capacity and speed in carrying out its constitutional duties, particularly the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists and other criminals across the country.”

“The National Assembly should press the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the existing budget ceiling or envelope allocation system.”

“I therefore strongly urge this (Senate) committee to press the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to begin releasing the Nigerian Army capital budget for fiscal year 2022 in the first quarter of 2022.”

“This would assist the Nigerian Army in rehabilitating dilapidated accommodations in over 138 barracks and training facilities across our units and formations, as well as procuring the necessary equipment and platforms to prosecute the country’s war against terrorism and other criminalities.”

The army chief urged the Senate panel to approve N642.7 billion as the Nigerian Army personnel emolument for the fiscal year 2022.

He also requested approval for N29.6 billion in overhead costs and N37.6 billion in capital expenditure.

He assured the panel that the Nigerian Army was committed to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity against any violation.

“The timely and complete implementation of the 2022 budget will thus enhance the fulfilment of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate and thus engender peace for our country Nigeria,” Yahaya said.

He stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on global socioeconomic activities, including Nigeria’s, and that the negative consequences allowed insecurity to grow.

The army chief also stated that he recognized the need to boost soldier morale and that he had been doing so on a regular basis.