The Nigerian Army (NA) has requested to be exempted from the envelope system of budgetary allocation by the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
While the Army is proposing N472.8bn for the 2019 fiscal year, the Ministry of Budget is proposing a reduction of the amount to N232.4b.
According to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, the envelope system of allocation cannot aid its immediate response to crisis situations taking into consideration Army’s on-going structural changes, volatile security environment and massive engagement of troops in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.
The COAS appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Army yesterday where he also asserted that the Army deserved whatever budgetary allocation it requested for because it performed almost 100 percent on all its 2018 budget implementation.
He said: “The National Assembly should prevail on the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the existing budget ceiling or envelope allocation system in view of the on-going structural changes, volatile security environment and massive engagement of troops in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.
“The National Assembly should change the 40 percent second Instalment Payment for purchase of 3 x LUH AS-350 for NA Aviation with the procurement of Armoured Personnel Carrier “A” Vehicles.
“The Nigerian Army has for years grappled with fund insufficiency; however it has remained resilient and ever dedicated to the discharge of its constitutional roles.
“It was able to cope with the financial constraints due to the relative peaceful environment across the country prior to the re-emergence of insurgency and other hostile activities of Violent Non-State Actors.
“You may recall that since the beginning of 2015, the activities of the Violent Non-State Actors have exacerbated in various regions across our dear country.
“In response to these, the Nigerian Army has expanded from 5 Divisions to 8 Divisions and is currently engaged in war against Boko Haram Terrorists and Internal Security operations in virtually all the 36 states of the Federation.
“It is also pertinent to note that the Nigerian Army has established Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Special Intelligence Command, Land Forces Simulation Centre and Nigerian Army Aviation amongst others.
“These commitments have extended our core constitutional role, and have impacted significantly on our human and material assets. This is in addition to inadequate budget allocation and the subsisting envelope budget system.
“In 2018, the percentage performance of Nigerian Army Budget Personnel Emolument was 100 percent, Overhead was 100 percent and Capital was 91.69 percent. It is in the light of this that I make bold to say that the budget has performed reasonably well”.
On the 2019 budget proposal, the Army boss said, “In preparing the 2019 budget, the Nigerian Army is requesting for the sum of N472.8bn but the Ministry of Budget and National Planning proposed the total sum of N232.4b only.
“Accordingly, the following are my humble prayers: The sum of N350.5b should be approved for Nigerian Army Personnel Emolument in 2019 Budget; N43.6b Overhead; and N78.5b for Capital Budget”.
While imploring the lawmakers to assist in timely and complete release of Army’s budget allocations, Buratai assured of Army’s total commitment to its statutory duties to the country.
“The timely and complete implementation of 2019 Budget will thus enhance the fulfilment of this mandate.
“Let me reiterate here that the Nigerian Army is committed to securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria from any violation, as the clearance operation to rid our country of the remnant of Boko Haram Terrorists and other criminal groups are currently ongoing”.
While the Committee commended the Army for its role in tackling insurgency and other crimes around the country, it however questioned the COAS on the deponent of technology in tackling insurgency, kidnapping and other crimes across the country.
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