Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has refuted claims that Nigerian Army was denied its budget.
Finance Minister, Zainab
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has reacted to allegations that it is holding funds supposed to be given to the Nigerian Army.
The ministry while denying the claim, said it has released N1trn to the Nigerian Army from 2019 till April 2021.
Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed made the disclosure during an interactive session with members of the Senate Committee on Army chaired by Senator Ali Ndume.
Ahmed also revealed that apart from funding the budget of the army almost 100 per cent, there had been a lot of instances where the security service went to the president, got special approvals and still got the funds.
Giving a breakdown of the money disbursed to the Nigerian army between 2019 and April 2021, the Minister said N129.69bn was for capital; N39.76bn, overhead; N681.79bn, personnel and N157.6bn, special releases.
Ahmed added;
“So perhaps what we’re providing is not enough, but the fact is we provide what’s budgeted and we provide what’s approved."