Reps panel gives 99% pass mark to army on budgetary allocation usage

The House of Representatives Committee on the Army has expressed satisfaction over the usage of the 2024 budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army.

The committee, chaired by Mr Aminu Balele, at the 2025 budget defence session at the National Assembly on Monday, promised to assist the Nigerian Army through adequate budgetary provisions to tackle the insecurity challenges affecting the country.

Balele said the Army can rest assured that his committee would champion the welfare of troops, ensure adequate power provisions, and promote capacity building at all levels.
Speaking on the Army’s 2024 budget performance after a closed-door session with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, he said that the committee was satisfied with their submission regarding implementation.

He said: “In terms of implementation, it was excellent. They have achieved over 99 per cent in terms of implementation, and more to it, we have sent our colleagues and we have gone all around the country during the oversight function.

“We have largely understood whatever they brought, and it is perfect and okay. It’s just a question of, you know, there is so much pressure from Nigerians. They need quick, you know, security solutions. They need quick, you know, results to address the issue of insecurity that is affecting our nation. Thank you.

“We have done our best from the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives, and we have succeeded in addressing the question of, even though, you know, there is inflation in terms of exchange rates and others.

“We have seen how we have succeeded in improving their capital and largely their overheads, and there are no regular allowances because you will find a member and soldier, you know, collecting very little amount of money in terms of his allowance.

So, we compare, we sit down, and we resolve those issues, and it’s a gradual process.”