By Raphael Ekpang
The Senate Committee on Army said it was not impressed over the poor released of fund to the Army, despites promise by the Minister of Finance of prompt release of fund to Army. Therefore, the Committee said it will invite Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed over the implementation of the 2022 budget of the Nigerian Army
According to the committee, so far the fund released for the recurrent expenditure is about 67% while that of the capital expenditure is about 50% contrary to the Committee expectations and the Minister’s promise of prompt release of fund for the Army.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, who made this known during the 2023 Budget Defence of the Army on Tuesday said the invitation becomes necessary in view of the 2022 budget performance of the Army which is below their expectation.
Ndume who addressed journalists after the budget defence of the Army which was held in a close door, said under normal circumstance, the budget defence should be open to the media but because of the security implication, it was held in a close door.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya appeared before the committee, but he did not address the media before departing from the Senate Wing of the National Assembly.
Ndume also called on the media to try as much as possible not to glamorize activities of insurgents and criminals.
