By Deborah Nnamdi
The House of Representatives Committee on Monday, assured the Nigerian Army of sufficient financial allocation in the 2025 budget proposal to tackle the nation’s insecurity challenges.
The Chairman of the Committee, Aminu Balele pledged during the 2025 budget defence session organised by the committee.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Balele stated that the committee was impressed with the Army’s performance regarding its 2024 budget implementation.
He said, “We are committed to providing unwavering support, fostering cooperation, and maintaining solidarity with our military counterparts. Be assured of this committee’s determination to champion the welfare of our troops, ensure adequate power provisions, and promote capacity building at all levels.”
Balele noted that the committee had scrutinized the 2024 budget and discussed strategies for addressing ongoing insecurity challenges across the country. He emphasized the need to support the Army in achieving results swiftly.
“In terms of implementation, the Army’s 2024 budget performance was excellent. They achieved over 99 percent implementation. Our colleagues conducted oversight functions nationwide to verify this,” he added.
The lawmaker acknowledged the pressure for quick results from Nigerians and restated the National Assembly’s efforts in addressing security challenges despite economic constraints, such as inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.
He also pledged, on behalf of the committee, to review the allowances earned by soldiers actively engaged in combating insecurity.
