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“We’ll end insurgency, terrorism simultaneously,” – Defence minister
The Ministry of Defence intends to use its 2023 supplementary budget and part of its 2024 budget to end insurgency and terrorism simultaneously, the minister, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, said in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The purpose of the 2023 additional budget is to have simultaneous operations in all our theatres so we can end insecurity at once,’’ Badaru said.
He made the declarations while defending the ministry’s budget at a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives committees on defence.
He said the ministry was determined to ensure that terrorists rooted from one location did not go to another to continue their heinous activities.
Badaru said he believed that the Federal Government would end the war, but would not disclose its strategies openly.
He commended the committees for always assisting the ministry in its resolve to end insecurity.
The minister noted that the ministry’s N78.58 billion appropriation for 2024 was higher than the N62.9 billion appropriation for 2023, and commended the National Assembly for its commitment to end insecurity.
He, however, called for an upward review of overhead costs in the 2024 budget in view of inflation and rising cost of diesel.
“We want you to help us to increase our overhead cost. We consume a lot of fuel, and I appeal that this be looked into,’’ he said.
In his submission, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, said the joint committee would work assiduously to scrutinise the ministry’s 2024 proposal.
He noted that security remained the backbone for education, the economy, and others to function, adding that more resources should be given to defence to handle insecurity.
Lawan noted also that it was not enough to approve money, but it was paramount to establish how such monies changed the situation.
“If you are given N100 billion; how has it improved the security situation in the country’’? he queried.
“It will not augur well to appropriate money without justification,’’ he stressed.
The former Senate president commended security agencies for working hard to secure the country.
In his contribution, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, said the National Assembly would continue to make efforts to invest in security to ensure the growth and development of the country.
He said President Bola Tinubu had promised to ensure the security of all Nigerians irrespective of status, adding: “you must work to deliver the goal of the administration.’’
He assured that the committee would ensure that all allocated resources added value, adding that lawmakers were not unaware of the challenges faced by armed forces, including the recent bombing in Kaduna.
He promised that the committees would ensure adequate funding within available resources to respond to the desires of the military.
Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi, Managing Director (MD), Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA), on Thursday inaugurated “Operation Desilt Water Channels” to checkmate erosion in Kogi.
Speaking during the inauguration at Ajegu, along the Itobe-Ayangba road in Ajaokuta Local Government of Kogi, Agbasi cautioned against indiscriminate dumping of refuge in drainages along the highways.
The Agency’s boss was in Kogi for a one-day working visit.
The MD had visited the ongoing project “Reinstatement of critical washout and failed section” along the Okene-Ajaokuta-Itobe Road, assessing progress and expressing satisfaction with the work done.
The visit, according to him, was aimed at engaging the state in meaningful discussion with staff, inspect ongoing projects, and inaugurate the new initiative, operation desilt water channels in the state
“We can’t have the drainages blocked with refuge and expect the roads not to be exposed to erosion and potholes.
“It’s the duty of communities to ensure that the drainages are free for water passage and safety of our roads in order to avoid road traffic crashes.
“This is a vital initiative designed to mitigate the impact of flooding on federal roads in Kogi.
“The overall objective is to reduce flood risk and enhance road safety by clearing hydraulic structures and improving drainage systems across critical sections of Federal Roads in Kogi.
“This innovative programme will engage youths from the host community to remove silt and sediment from drainage channels and bridges across federal roads in the state.
“By doing so, it will not only empower them to contribute to the development and safety of their own community but also foster community participation and inclusiveness in the programme’s success,” he said
The FERMA Chief Executive Officer, added: “Also, safety is the top priority when working on site more so that vehicles do pass by on the roads under repairs.”
Agbasi, who disclosed that he planned to digitise and improve the agency’s workflow, assured the workers of his commitment to provide inclusive training to address their needs.
NAN reports that the MD was accompanied in the inauguration and supervision by Director West Operation, Mr Agboade Adewunmi and the Kogi Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, Mr Muktar Abdulrahim amongst other officials.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) says, no fewer than 21,000 persons will benefit from the ECOWAS stabilisation funds for victims of flood disaster across six most affected states.
Mr Abubakar Kende, the Secretary General of NRCS disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during an inception meeting of the ECOWAS humanitarian support for people affected by floods in Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the meeting themed, “Building Stronger and Resilient Families in Nigeria’ was organised in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
NAN also reports that, during the meeting, ECOWAS presented a cheque of 906, 200 Dollar to the Red Cross towards effective implementation of its stabilisation programme.
Kende represented by the NRCS Director of Disaster Management Mr Benson Agbo, said the stabilisation funds would be used to cater for the victims of flooding
“In our effort to alleviate the sufferings of the vulnerable in Nigeria, we have signed a tripartite agreement with the ECOWAS and the Humanitarian Ministry.
“The agreement aimed at supporting communities affected by flood disasters in Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers states.
“We are ready to go to these selected communities to deliver essential humanitarian aid to 21,000 individuals in 3,500 Households across these six states that are worst hit.
“This gesture will ensure that the Flood survivors return to their normal lives’’ he said.
Kende appealed to stakeholders to provide the necessary support to the victims to boost their socio-economic wellbeing.
“We encourage relevant stakeholders to act and provide the necessary infrastructure needed to control and mitigate the effects of flooding thereby improving peoples’ lives.
“As implementing partner, the Nigerian Red Cross Society will execute the project in the six states, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of assistance and maintaining transparent process’’ Kende said.
On his part, the Deputy Country Director of WFP in Nigeria, Mr Guy Adoua, said the Programme had built an enduring structure, critical to delivering food and nutrition to vulnerable people.
“We have not only addressed immediate food and nutrition needs of these vulnerable communities but we made significant strides in strengthening the resilience of these communities.
“Our work in Nigeria during 2021-2022 has demonstrated the profound difference that coordinated efforts and strategic partnerships can make.
“ WFP will provide a multi-dimensional assistance to 14,394 persons in Katsina and Sokoto states using the ECOWAS funds,’’ Adoua said.
According to him, this will include food and nutrition support, building capacity for state systems, psycho-social support to promote social cohesion and peace for a period of six months.
Earlier, the ECOWAS Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs Prof. Fatou Sarr, said, ECOWAS will continue to support member-states towards improving the livelihood of their citizens.
“Our focus will continue to be people-centred; therefore, projects such as this will continue to be the focus of the Management of ECOWAS programming.
“We invite you all to continue to accompany us to change the lives and livelihoods of our peoples for good, especially those at the grass roots.
Sarr therefore used the event to present a cheque of one million dollar to the WFP to ensure effective implementation of ECOWAS stabilisation programme to persons of concern by providing food and nutrition especially to victims of violence in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Mr Valentine Ezulu, the Director, Humanitarian Affairs in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation assured stakeholders of federal government`s determination to provide mechanism towards mitigating the impact of flood and consequences.
While appreciating the ECOWAS’ intervention in Nigeria, Ezulu said, the project will help to improve the food insecurity and malnutrition of the vulnerable groups in the affected states.
He recalled that the 2021 phase one beneficiaries of the ECOWAS Food and Nutrition support were Borno, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
FERMA inaugurates operation desilt water channels in Kogi
FG pledges to upgrade correctional centres – Interior Minister
