By Jerrywright Ukwu

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has implored President Bola Tinubu to place the annual budget of the Nigerian Armed Forces on a first-line charge to ensure timely funding of military operations.

Ndume said bureaucratic procedures between the ministries of defence and finance were hampering military operations.

“All these can be achieved seamlessly if we put their annual budget on First Line Charge,” he said.

“This envelope budgeting is trapped in unnecessary bureaucracy between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Finance. It is a big encumbrance to effective operations of our men and officers in the war theatre.”

He urged Tinubu to consider direct statutory transfers from the Federation Account to the military, similar to the funding arrangement for some government agencies.

“Mr President should seize the initiative to ensure direct statutory transfer from the Federation Account for the military as it is done with few agencies of government,” Ndume said.

He also commended Tinubu for approving salary increases for about 250,000 military personnel, describing the move as a welcome development that would boost the morale of troops.

Tinubu recently approved a 30 percent salary increase for officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals.

Personnel from the rank of colonel to warrant officer will receive a 50 percent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will benefit from an 80 percent increase.

‘SALARY REVIEW WILL BOOST MORALE’

Ndume said the salary increase, coming alongside Tinubu’s recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, showed that the president had a blueprint for tackling terrorism and banditry.

“This coming after his recent expansion of military divisions from eight to twelve, shows that Mr President has his own blueprint aimed at dealing with the scourge of terrorism and banditry,” he said.

“The review of salary will go a long way in motivating our military personnel. I have been in the vanguard of better motivation for our men and officers in the military in terms of decent living wage.”

Ndume said Tinubu had demonstrated responsiveness to legitimate concerns over the welfare of military personnel.

“President Tinubu has again proved that he is a responsive leader who doesn’t shut his mind to genuine and legitimate agitation of Nigerians,” he said.

The former senate leader, however, said improved salaries should be accompanied by adequate weapons, ammunition, logistics and training.

“I have always argued that aside from welfare package, what they need to deal with insurgents, aside better welfare package and training, is prompt supply of arms and ammunition,” Ndume said.

He urged Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to provide the military with the weapons and technological tools required to effectively tackle insecurity.

“I also want to urge Mr President to keep up his pledge on the provision of weapons and technological tools required to the Armed Forces to effectively discharge their duties,” he said.

Source: TheCable