The National Assembly Committee on Defence, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, voiced concerns over the adequacy of the N1.57 trillion allocated to combat insecurity in 2024.
Badaru emphasized that the rising operational costs, coupled with increased fuel prices, demanded a reconsideration of the ministry’s budget.
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Defence Minister Appeals To Lawmakers
During the session on Wednesday, the defence minister appealed to lawmakers, stating, “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.”
Badaru highlighted the impact of inflation, escalating fuel prices, and operational costs, asserting the need for enhanced financial support.
He underlined the significance of proper funding to address the challenges posed by bandits and terrorists.
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“The overhead is very low, and we urge you to support us to see how we can improve our overhead,” he added.
Acknowledging the substantial fuel and diesel consumption by military units in carrying out official duties, the minister assured transparency in fund utilization.
He stated, “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.”
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Ahmad Lawan, cautioned against significant budgetary allocations without tangible improvements in national security.
Lawan questioned the effectiveness of the allocated funds, emphasizing the need for a correlation between budget size and enhanced security measures.
“If you are given N100 billion, how has it improved the security situation in the country? It will not augur well to appropriate money without justification,” Lawan asserted.
Budget Breakdown
The Ministry of Defence’s 2024 budget breakdown revealed allocations of N1.15 trillion for personnel, N116.5 billion for overhead, and N308.2 billion for capital, totaling N1.57 trillion.
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Despite this substantial allocation, Minister Badaru remains adamant that additional resources are imperative to effectively combat the evolving threats facing the nation.
The ongoing dialogue between the Defence Ministry and the National Assembly signifies the delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and the urgent need for heightened national security.
