Nigeria Govt Allocates N575.6bn for Arms, Anti-Terror Fight
In a significant move to bolster the fight against insecurity and sustain the ongoing anti-insurgency efforts, the Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked a total of N575.6 billion in its special funding budget.
This substantial allocation, part of the N2.18 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year, was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council. The details of this supplementary budget, obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, outline the allocation of N552.6 billion to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces, with the aim of intensifying internal operations against threats posed by groups like Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, and other anti-insurgency elements.
Among the eight military and defense agencies receiving funds, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy will receive the largest portions, with N211.5 billion, N112.2 billion, and N62.8 billion allocated, respectively. Out of this budget, recurrent expenditures will account for N245.1 billion, while capital expenditures will amount to N329.99 billion.
During the announcement at the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, emphasized the budget’s purpose, stating that the N575 billion is designated to address urgent matters, including national defense and security. Bagudu stressed that these funds are critical for the security agencies to address pressing needs.
In addition to the focus on security, the supplementary budget also allocates N300 billion for bridge repairs, including the Eko and Third Mainland Bridges, as well as the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads across the nation to prepare for the upcoming rainy season.
An allocation of N18 billion is designated for the Independent National Electoral Commission to facilitate the conduct of elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states, while N5.5 billion is set aside to support the launch of the student loans board, which is scheduled to begin disbursing loans in January 2024.
Within the Ministry of Defence’s allocation, N49.99 billion has been allocated, with N33.6 billion for recurrent expenses and N16.4 billion for capital investments. The Nigerian Army’s budget of N211.5 billion will see N116.3 billion allocated for recurrent expenditures and N95.2 billion for capital investments. An additional N49.04 billion has been earmarked for the Department of State Services.
Key capital projects within the Nigerian Army include the acquisition of arms and ammunition, including the refurbishment and upgrade of 155mm self-propelled Howitzer Palmaria artillery guns at the cost of N27.1 billion. The Nigerian Navy is allocated N8.92 billion for arms, ammunition, and related equipment, while the Nigerian Air Force’s budget of N80.48 billion focuses on aircraft and armaments.
The Department of State Services plans to utilize N36.99 billion for various acquisitions, including an IMSI catcher upgraded version at N1.19 billion, MMG556 at N5.96 billion, AK Alpha Rifle at N1.40 billion, and RPG 7V2 (40MM) at N1.53 billion.
Other security agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, the Nigerian Navy, and the Police, have received allocations of N7.5 billion, N11.93 billion, and N20.33 billion, respectively. Importantly, N31.59 billion has been budgeted to boost the morale of security officers through allowances and severance packages, in light of the sacrifices made by 186 security operatives between January and September 2023 while performing their duties.
These dedicated security personnel, representing the military, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force, paid the ultimate price while combating crime in various states across Nigeria, including Zamfara, Niger, Borno, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Benue, and Enugu.
The government has also approved financial support measures, including N1.13 billion for the insurance of the Nigerian Police Force’s critical assets for the 2021/2022 policy, N18 billion for security debarment allowance related to regular courses 37 and 38, N5 billion to cover outstanding group life assurance for personnel from 2011 to 2023, and N795 million for the burial expenses of deceased officers between August 2021 and March 2023, among other welfare packages.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has allocated N16.02 billion for Operation Dakatar da Barawo, a project aimed at combating oil theft in the Niger Delta region. This special operation, launched in September 2022, is a joint initiative by the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited, with the goal of preventing oil thieves from sabotaging the nation’s oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta.
Lastly, N5.09 billion has been allocated for the president’s yacht as part of the government’s financial planning.
