The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has urged the National Assembly to increase the budget allocation for his ministry in the 2024 fiscal year. Badaru argued that the allocated N1.57 trillion was insufficient to address the country’s insecurity challenges.
He made this plea on Wednesday during his appearance before a joint National Assembly Committee on Defence to present and defend the ministry’s budget proposal for 2024.
Badaru pointed out that the increasing operational costs and the surge in diesel and fuel prices were compelling reasons for requesting an augmentation of the ministry’s budget allocation.
In the proposed 2024 budget, the Ministry of Defence was allotted N1.15 trillion for personnel, N116.5 billion for overhead, and N308.2 billion for capital, totaling N1.57 trillion.
However, the defence minister emphasized that this allocation fell short of what was necessary to effectively combat insecurity in the country.
“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.
“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 said.
The minister stated that leaders of military units extensively use significant amounts of fuel and diesel to fulfill their official responsibilities.
He guaranteed that all allocated funds in the budget would be utilized prudently.
“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”.
The Senate Committee on Defence Chairman, Ahmad Lawan, emphasized that allocating substantial funds to the ministry would lack justification unless there is a discernible enhancement in national security.
He underscored the importance of assessing how the allocated funds contribute to improving security within the country.
“If you are given N100bn, how has it improved the security situation in the country? It will not augur well to appropriate money without justification,” he stated. #insecurity