Senator Ndume Urges General Musa to Prioritise First Line Charge for Nigerian Army …Reiterates the critical importance of national security

By our Correspondent

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has called on the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa—who was screened and confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday for the position of Minister of Defence—to advocate for the inclusion of the Nigerian Army in the First Line Charge to guarantee smooth and uninterrupted fund disbursement.

Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Findings showed that the former Chief of Defence Staff, whose nomination was forwarded to the Senate as a replacement for the former Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has already been screened and confirmed by the Senate during plenary.

It was also gathered that agencies placed on first line charges or statutory transfers are those that receive their budget allocations directly from the Federation Account before other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Currently, agencies on statutory transfers include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Assembly, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ndume, who has consistently advocated better remuneration for Nigerian Army personnel to enhance their morale, maintained that placing the military on statutory transfers would eliminate bureaucratic delays that often obstruct timely procurement of arms and ammunition required at operational theatres.

He said: “While I commend him on his appointment—which most Nigerians agree is well-deserved—he should persuade his boss, the President and Commander-in-Chief, on the need to place the Nigerian Army on First Line Charge.
Aside from adequate funding for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, prompt release of funds is crucial. He should ensure that the military receives its full capital budget, because without it, operations will be affected.
Security of lives and property is vital. It is clearly stated in the Constitution as the primary responsibility of government to its citizens, and we must stop paying lip service to it.
There should be no justification for delays in releasing funds for the military, especially for procurement and other strategic requirements.”

The lawmaker further urged the former Chief of Defence Staff to pay significant attention to the welfare of military personnel, especially their remuneration.

He added: “My stance on improved welfare for our Armed Forces is already public knowledge. They are not the best paid in the West African subregion. Something urgent must be done to show them that we appreciate the sacrifices they continue to make for all of us.”