Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja
The Senate Monday attributed the poor state of Army barracks across the country to the ongoing wars against insurgency and banditry.
The Senate Committee on the Army stated this after it visited some military formations in Plateau and Bauchi States to carry out some oversight activities.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Ali Ndume, told newsmen after the visit that funds that should have been used to fix the barracks were being paid as allowances to the personnel who are participating in the wars against insurgency and banditry.
According to him, efforts would be made by the two chambers of the National Assembly to ensure that more money are appropriated for the renovation of old barracks as well as possible construction of new ones.
He said: “We went on oversight activities to see the conditions of the barracks as well as assess the implementation of the 2021 budget of the Army regarding some capital projects. We assessed the implementation of the 2021 budget meant for the renovation of old structures in the barracks and the new ones being built.
“We are impressed with the quality of the jobs done and the speed at which they are being delivered. The conditions of the barracks are deplorable. The perimeter fencing, the road network and the walls of the buildings are all dilapidated and they need a complete rehabilitation or even reconstruction.
“The Nigerian Army is being involved in activities that are not its primary responsibilities. The Nigerian Army is combatant and it is used to fighting conventional wars.
“They are now involved in duties that should ordinarily be handled by the police or other security agencies. Despite that, the Nigerian Army is doing its best. Too much funds are going into the various operations especially with the insurgency in the North-east, banditry in the North-west and instances of farmers-herders clashes, as well as other tribal crisis. It is unfortunate that the Nigerian Army for a long time has not been properly taken care of.
“The conditions of the barracks are bad because they are not being maintained while much money is going into operations. The money needed to fix the barracks is enormous and government should approve more funds to the Nigerian Army.
“There are no new barracks being build and the existing ones are not being maintained. The Army is engaged in various operations and the non regular allowances that are being paid is enormous. So much money is going into the payment of allowances that could have been avoided if the nation is at peace. Such money would have been used to fix the barracks.”
