House to investigate military fund mismanagement

By Ehi Ekhator

The speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal revealed that investigation into the way military fund was spent is ongoing.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

He revealed that there are several complaints that the money meant for the purchase of equipment and military personal welfare were being mismanaged.

He linked the morale of the solders in the battlefield to the particular problem, he promised that the house will look into it to make sure bolder steps are taken on the issue.

He revealed this while receiving members of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA)

Tambuwal said: “A situation whereby we appropriate funds for our men to be well taken care of, to be well kitted and for them to have the best of arms and somebody somewhere is playing politics or is not implementing and applying those funds judiciously is not acceptable and we are ready to take on whoever is involved in that.

“Very soon, by the time we come back, we are going to have some motions that are talking about welfare of our men on the field.”

The House, he said was not reacting on assumptions. “We have received several complaints from soldiers that they are not getting what is due to them on the field.

“How do you take someone that is less motivated to the battle field? I believe that we need to be more serious and I believe that those responsible should be responsible enough to cater for these troops,” he said.

The speaker added that the situation require a practical approach.

“The legislature has its limitations. We cannot commandeer troops, we can only pass resolutions; we can only appropriate funds.

“Of course, we can perform oversight, but we have our limitations in following the money, in following appropriated funds.

“That is why I said in my speech that even as parliamentarians, we may have to find new ways of improved oversight so that we ensure that what is meant for the welfare of our soldiers who have surrendered their lives to this country should be improved.”

“We are committed to that, we shall give government every support. And we have taken extra steps to support the government to support the people that are being affected by this crisis.

“We are amenable, we are available; we are ready to do everything possible to bring this to an end,” he added.

Responding to the issue,  the President-General of USOSA, Muhammadu Kabiru Nuhu-Koko commend the Speaker for showing concern for the military situation in the country and that of the fate of Nigerian children.

Security agencies warned politicians to refrain from any comments capable of undermining the ongoing counter launched on the insurgency in the Northeast.

The Joint Security Information Committee (JSIC), comprising spokesmen of the various security agencies, at a news conference, said such comments by politicians and other commentators would no longer be tolerated.

According to the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, he said that henceforth, anyone who undermines their operations would have themselves to be blamed.

He said  “We don’t need spokesmen of terrorists to tell us how to carry out our operations.” Such comments by a section of the political elite constitute a frontal attack on the morale of the troops, Gen. Olukolade said, adding: “They make frivolous and unfounded claims and allegations on the welfare of soldiers under the pretext of being more caring for the welfare and condition of Nigerian soldiers, but their intention is to encourage indiscipline and ultimately mutiny.

“This set of Nigerians has taken up every available media platform to disparage efforts of the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terror.

“Indeed, the tendency is propelled by nothing altruistic other than to curry undue political capital out if the unfortunate crisis in the Northeast. They have not only accused the military and security authorities of denying the soldiers and other security personnel of their entitlements.

“They have been spreading the sick rumour that the gallant Nigerian soldiers are grumbling over inadequate resources and lack of motivation to take on the insurgents.

“These unfounded allegations and outright rumour mongering are, to say the least, callous, mischievous and inimical to the well being of our national security.”

Gen. Olukolade, however, added that despite the orchestrated campaign of calumny, the troops are determined more than ever before to bring terrorism to an end in any part of the country.

According to the committee, operations are going on simultaneously nationwide to address every form of insecurity threat, including insurgency, oil theft, kidnapping, vandalism, communal clashes, cattle rustling, trafficking in arms and persons among others.

The security spokesmen also stated that interactions with the diplomatic community had been initiated as part of efforts to curtail insurgency in the land.

They also said operations are to recover firearms from unauthorised persons and groups across the country.

Present at the briefing were spokesmen of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and the National Security Agency. (0)

House to investigate military fund mismanagement