Funding remains army’s challenge, says Buratai, vows to end insurgency

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said though the army was discharging its duty with commitment, zeal and in loyalty to constituted authority, funding had remained one of its challenges.
Buratai stated this on Thursday when he received the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Army at army’s headquarters in Abuja.
The committees’ visit was part of their oversight function.
Buratai told the committees chaired by Sen. George Akume and Rep. Rimande Shawulu, that funds appropriated for the army in the budgets in the last three years were judiciously spent.
He said the army achieved a lot with the funds in building and reconstruction of facilities across its formations and barracks nationwide.
“With the efforts of the National Assembly in the last three years, we have achieved a lot, and as you go round, you will see the efforts in terms of facility development and uplifting of barracks facilities.
“But, there is still much to be done; funding still remains a challenge.
“It couldn’t have been a challenge if the various infrastructure had been maintained over the years,” he said.
Buratai pointed out that infrastructure in the army had remained in poor state as a result of inadequate funding, and solicited for more.
Earlier, Akume had commended the army for the various operations it was conducting, especially in the North-East, saying they had helped in maintaining law and order as well as security in the country.
“We want to commend the army for carrying out its constitutional responsibilities of protecting the territorial integrity of the country and for also maintaining law and order.”
Akume, however, urged the army to do more in securing the country.
On the oversight visit by the joint committee, he said it became necessary because of time.
He requested the army leadership to furnish the committees of both chambers of the National Assembly with locations of its ongoing projects to enable the committees to oversight them with regards to 2017/2018 appropriated funds.
Also, Buratai, on Thursday, said the Army is in top gear to end insurgency in the northeast and the country at large.
Buratai made the assertion during the fire power demonstration and closing ceremony of the sixth edition of Exercise Vulcan Glow organized by the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery at Kachia, Kaduna State.
Buratai was represented by Maj.-Gen. Hakeem Okiti, the Commander, Army Infantry Corps.
The Army chief said the exercise was part of the Army’s resolve to remain well trained and focused in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
“This is more so, at a time when the nation and the military is on top gear in addressing security challenges most especially Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal activities bedevilling our nation’s territory,” he said.
“This exercise which is an annual event will continue to be used to provide the needed training for NACA personnel towards improving their competence and that of the NA in general.” he said
He noted that artillery Corps has not restricted itself to its conventional roles, but has keyed into efforts to combat other contemporary security challenges and military operations other than the war being prosecuted by the army.
“This was aptly captured in the exercise setting which has taken cue from the experience and lessons learnt from on-going operation in the North East and other operation theatres across the country.
“I expect that pragmatic and innovative lessons will come out of this exercise for the benefit of the Nigerian Army,” Buratai added.
Earlier the Commander, Artillery Corps, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Tarfa said the exercise is an artillery concentration exercise conducted to practice proper planning, preparation, employment and deployment of artillery resources in all phases of conventional and unconventional wars.
Tarfa said this year’s exercise provided an avenue for the Army leadership to confirm the corps preparedness in carrying out its roles in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army.
The exercise, which began on November 11, brought together five artillery brigades from Minna, Akure, Bauchi, Owerri and Ogun.
The 34 artillery brigade Owerri emerged overall winner, while 32 artillery brigade Akure came second and 33 artillery brigade Bauchi was third.