By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called for enhanced funding for the Nigerian Army to improve operational efficiency and address growing personnel welfare challenges.

Oluyede made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Army on an oversight visit to the Army Headquarters.

He commended the committee for its consistent support but decried the inadequacies of the current envelope budgeting system, stressing that it limited the army’s capacity to meet pressing infrastructure and logistics needs.

“As we speak, the army is still challenged in terms of operational efficiency.

“This year alone, we are expecting about 13,000 new personnel, but there are no corresponding resources to provide accommodation for them,” he said.

The army chief noted that many personnel remained unaccommodated, a situation he warned would worsen without urgent intervention.

He urged the lawmakers to consider a special funding mechanism for the army outside the traditional envelope system.

“We are not only looking at internal security threats, but we must also be prepared in case of external aggression.

“We urgently need special funds to provide accommodation and improve welfare for our troops,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, acknowledged the army’s financial constraints and pledged the committee’s continued advocacy for increased funding.

Yar’Adua said the committee had resolved to push for the removal of the army and other armed services from the envelope budgeting regime to enhance their financial flexibility.

“The Nigerian Army and Armed Forces should be taken out of the envelope budgeting system, so they have more funds to carry out their mandate. We’ve seen the need during our oversight visits,” he said.

Yar’Adua disclosed that the committee had split into two teams to conduct oversight visits to Army formations in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Lagos States.

He said most projects inspected were progressing well, while a few areas of concern had been flagged for action.

He assured the Army Chief of the committee’s continued partnership with the executive to ensure adequate funding for the service.

According to him, another round of oversight is planned before the end of the year to assess the implementation of the 2025 Appropriations Act. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru