Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that funds meant for the Nigerian Armed Forces are transferred directly to the military to reduce delays in accessing resources needed for operations.
Ndume made the call while reacting to the salary increase recently approved for about 250,000 military personnel across the country.
President Tinubu had approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for personnel of the Armed Forces, with the new rates expected to take effect next month.
Under the new structure, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier-generals, major-generals, lieutenant-generals and generals, will receive a 30 per cent increase.
Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will receive a 50 per cent increase, while those from private to staff sergeant will get an 80 per cent increase.
The adjustment will raise the annual wage bill of the Armed Forces from about N660 billion to N924 billion.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Ndume, a former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said the salary review would improve the morale of soldiers and show that the administration was taking steps to address insecurity.
He also linked the salary increase to the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, saying the measures showed that the administration had a broader plan for tackling terrorism and banditry.
Ndume, however, said improved salaries and welfare would not be enough to defeat insurgency. He urged the Federal Government to ensure that troops receive arms, ammunition, equipment and other operational supplies on time.
The Borno South senator said military personnel require adequate weapons and modern technology to effectively confront insurgents and other armed groups.
He further called for the military's annual budget to be placed on First Line Charge to reduce bureaucratic procedures between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance.
According to him, the current system creates delays that affect military operations and the ability of troops to respond effectively to security threats.
Ndume urged Tinubu to consider a system that would allow statutory funds for the military to be transferred directly from the Federation Account, similar to the arrangement used for some government agencies.
He said such a system would reduce administrative bottlenecks and give the Armed Forces faster access to funds required for their operations.
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