Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has called on Defence Minister-designate and immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to work towards placing the Nigerian Army on First Line Charge to ensure unhindered and timely access to funds.
Ndume made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, shortly after Musa was screened and confirmed by the Senate as the replacement for former Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru.
Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and a long-time advocate for improved military welfare, said placing the Army, Navy and Air Force on statutory transfer would eliminate bureaucratic delays that often affect the procurement of essential arms and equipment in operational theatres.
He said: “While I commend him on his appointment, which most Nigerians agree he deserves, he should convince the President and Commander-in-Chief of the need to put the Nigerian Army on First Line Charge. Beyond adequate funding, prompt disbursement is crucial. If the military does not receive its capital budget in full and on time, operations will suffer.”
Ndume stressed that safeguarding lives and property is a constitutional responsibility of government and must not be undermined by funding delays.
“There should be no justification for the late release of funds for military procurement and other strategic needs,” he added.
The lawmaker further urged the incoming Defence Minister to prioritise the welfare and remuneration of service personnel.
“My position on better welfare for our Armed Forces is well known. They are not the best paid in the West African subregion. Something urgent must be done to show them that we value the sacrifices they continue to make for the rest of us,” he said.
News360 Info reports that agencies on First Line Charge — also known as statutory transfers — receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account before other ministries and agencies. Current beneficiaries include the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Assembly, the Universal Basic Education Commission and the Niger Delta Development Commission.
