Tinubu should ensure direct transfer of salary to military – Ndume

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving salary increases for about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, saying the move will go a long way towards boosting the morale of troops. President Tinubu last week approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for military personnel, with the new rates set to take effect next month.

With the adjustment, the annual wage bill for the Armed Forces will rise from N660 billion to N924 billion. Officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase. Personnel from the rank of colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will get an 80 per cent increase.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, August 11, Ndume, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Army, said the salary review shows that the President has a clear plan to tackle insecurity. He said the move, coming shortly after the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, demonstrates that President Tinubu has a blueprint for addressing terrorism and banditry. He said:

“The review of salary will go a long way in motivating our military personnel. I have been in the vanguard of better motivation for our men and officers in the military in terms of decent living wage. President Tinubu has once again proved that he is a responsive leader who doesn’t shut his mind to genuine and legitimate agitation of Nigerians.”

However, the Borno South Senator noted that better pay alone would not be enough to win the war against insurgency. He urged the government to also ensure the prompt supply of arms, ammunition and other essential logistics. Ndume said that, beyond improved welfare packages and training, military personnel need timely access to weapons and ammunition to effectively combat insurgents.

“I have always argued that aside better welfare package and training, what they need to deal with insurgents is prompt supply of arms and ammunition. I also want to urge Mr. President to keep up his pledge on the provision of weapons and technological tools required to the Armed Forces to effectively discharge their duties.”

The APC chieftain also called for the annual defence budget to be placed on First Line Charge to eliminate bureaucratic delays that could affect military operations. According to him, the current envelope budgeting system creates unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance. He said:

“All these can be achieved seamlessly if we put their annual budget on First Line Charge. This envelope budgeting is trapped in unnecessary bureaucracy between the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Finance. It is a big encumbrance to effective operations of our men and officers in the war theater. Mr. President should seize the initiative to ensure direct statutory transfer from the Federation Account for the military as it is done with few agencies of government.”