we need more money,N1.57 trillion not enough to f!ght bandits, terrorist- Defence Minister

N1.57 trillion not enough to f!ght bandits, terrorist- Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has stated that the N1.57 trillion naira budget for security in 2024 is insufficient.

Badaru disclosed this when he appeared before a joint National Assembly Committee on Defence to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget proposal on Wednesday.

The minister said the rising cost of operations and the increase in the price of diesel and fuel necessitated the call for an increment of the ministry’s allocation.

“I appeal to the distinguished senators and honourable members to review the ministry’s budget given the prevailing economic situation to enable the ministry to function effectively,” Badaru told lawmakers.

“You are already aware of the inflationary trend and the cost of diesel, petrol, and operational costs. The overhead is very low, and we urge you to support us to see how we can improve our overhead,” he added.

The minister said heads of military units consume large quantities of fuel and diesel to carry out their official duties.

He assured that all funds appropriated in the budget would be judiciously utilised.

“Instead of fighting in one sector, the bandits or insurgents run into another sector, that was the intent of the supplementary budget, and we assure the senators that we will track this expenditure and make sure the monies appropriated will be utilized fully, and we will account appropriately”.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Ahmad Lawan, said there would be no justification for huge budgetary allocation for the ministry if there was no improvement in security across the country.

He said it was paramount to establish how the money allocated to the ministry improved security.

“If you are given N100 billion, how has it improved the security situation in the country? It will not augur well to appropriate money without justification,” he stated.

According to reports, the Ministry of Defence allocated N1.15 trillion for personnel; N116.5 billion for overhead and N308.2 billion for capital, totaling N1.57 trillion

But the defence minister said the allocation was not enough to fight insecurity.

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