Army needs N169bn in 2017, deploys troops to 32 states

The Nigeria Army authorities have deployed its officers to 32 states across the federation in a bid to tackle terrorism and insecurity challenges across the country.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed this during the 2016 budget appraisal and 2017 budget defence held at the instance of the House Committee on Army chaired by Kwewum Shawulu in Abuja.

Buratai who was accompanied by top military personnel, reiterated commitment towards tackling the spate of kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, armed banditry and communal clashes accross the country.

In the bid to effectively discharge its statutory responsibility, Buratai said: “Currently, the Nigeria Army is deployed in about 32 states fighting to eradicate terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, armed banditry and communal clashes among others.

“The challenges have in many instances necessitated the deployment of Quick Response Groups to troubled areas and establishment of new units in some cases.

“The latest of such deployment is 101 SF Bn deployed in Kafanchan to complement the elements of 4 Demo Bn in curtailing the ongoing carnage in the area while some of the newly established units include: 6 Division, Port Harcourt, 707 SF Brigade, Makurdi and other associated units.

“It should be noted that these exigent deployments and establishments were mostly executed without prior provision in the National Army budget,” he noted.

On the prosecution of war against terrorism especially in the North East, Buratai reiterated the resolve of the Nigerian Army towards effective clearance of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

While briefing on the 2017 budget requirement for the Army, the Chief of Army Staff requested for the sum of N168,113,059,652.51 against the sum of N152,843,327,542 stipulated in the budget proposal under consideration.

He assured that timely and complete implementation of 2017 budget will enhance the fulfilment of the Nigerian Army’s mandate.

On the implementation of the 2016 Appropriation, Buratai explained that Nigerian Army achieved 100 percent performance.

He further said that 62.01 percent of the budget was for personnel emolument while 39.39 percent was for overhead capital budget respectively.

He expressed concern that the limited funds released to the Nigeria Army had continued to jeopardize welfare efforts with attendant dampening of personnel morale.

According to the budget 2017, the allocation to the Nigeria Army is N152. 843 billion.

Speaking earlier, Kwewum Shawulu, chairman, House Committee on Army who commended the gallant efforts of the security agencies toward securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria, applauded the construction of new buildings at Gwagwalada for men and officers of the Nigerian Army.

“Last year following the advocacy embarked upon by the committee, the National Assembly graciously added N10 billion to the Nigeria Army. Though, a far cry from what is actually needed, it demonstrated the importance the National Assembly attaches to the Nigerian Army and services of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“Last week, the committee visited three formations in Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos. We were impressed that the gloom that filled the 44 Reference Hospital in Kaduna is lifting,” he noted.

He also assured the Army authorities of the Committee’s efforts on the construction of school and the mammy market needed in Gwagwalada through the zonal Intervention funds of some lawmakers.