Budget line to be increased to fund military, civil security agencies – Ndume

The chairman Senate committee on Army, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and the chairman, House of Representatives committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas have said that the activities of bandits and kidnappings have destroyed the image and reputation of Nigeria.

This was disclosed today while they were addressing newsmen at the Special Army camp 4 in Faskari area of Katsina State.

Senator Ndume explained that the National Assembly was making a case for the military and other security agencies by increasing the budget line considering the insecurity situation ravaging the entire country.

He maintained that the armed and ammunition the military are still using were purchased by former president, Shehu Shagari during his tenure, stressing that the current Insecurity situation in the country has necessitated the provision of new arms and ammunition.

“No nation can fight war without funding its military and security agencies. No doubt we are fighting Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and kidnappers and this is a war,” he said.

“The Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Defence and police are facing the challenges of under funding.”

In his speech, the chairman House of Representatives committee on Army, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas said that the equipment purchased during Shagari’s tenure would be maintained while new ones would be purchased, adding that the country needs sophisticated weapons to contend with the insurgents.

The chairman noted that the military and other security agencies are expected to operate in difficult situation for the internal security of the country, pointing out that because of insurgency rocking the country, the military were drafted to the troubled areas to assist civil security agencies.

” The military’s last responsibility has become its first priority. The military’s number one responsibility is to defend the entire territory and assist the civil security agencies where the need arises ”

Fielding questions from newsmen, both Senator Ndume and Hon. Namdas said that the Army is advancing as it made army operational vehicles, stressing that the National Assembly would work with the military through alternative funding.

According to them, Nigeria has been importing operational vehicles from overseas since independent, pointing out that the National Assembly would continue to encourage the military to advance technologically.

The two federal lawmakers said that since the Army could fabricate operational vehicles with limited resources, wondering how technologicall advance the army could if properly funded.

They appealed to the general public to give their total supports to the military and security agencies, saying that it is understatement to say that security of lives and properties is the sole responsibility of the military and security agencies.