Posted by By KENNY ASHAKA, Kaduna on
President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the Defence Ministry to ensure that monthly salaries of military personnel are paid on the 25th of each month.
President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the Defence Ministry to ensure that monthly salaries of military personnel are paid on the 25th of each month.
Disclosing this while addressing senior officers and soldiers at the Soldier's club, Ribadu Barracks, Kaduna, at the weekend, Minister of Defence, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said the president was concerned about the suffering of military personnel and their families on account of late or irregular payment of salaries.
The minister, who was in Kaduna to commission various projects executed by military engineers of the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army, said the government had also approved N7.5 million for the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
He said: "In appreciation of the fact that Army Barracks are not as good as those of the Navy and Airforce, Mr. President decided to release N3.5 billion to the Nigerian Army for kittings, uniforms, etc. We want to see a well kitted officer and soldier in Nigeria.
"We have N2 billion in the Nigerian Army budget for them to execute such projects across the country. Not only that, we have additional N2 billion to add to whatever the Nigerian Army Engineers will do in 2006.
"In other words, the Army has N7.5 billion this year. I cannot remember in the history of this country where such money was being released just for the aspect of accommodation. I have gone to the record."
Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division, Brigadier General Onyeabor Azubike Ihejirika had told the minister that 629 families benefited from the new accommodations which were provided through the houses that were constructed by direct labour.
Ihejirika however pointed out that 141 families were still without proper accommodation and appealed to the Federal Government to approve funds for the construction of additional five blocks of flats to accommodate them.