The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has presented a Budget proposal of twenty- one billion, six hundred and seventy two million, eight hundred and eighty eight thousand, seven hundred and five naira seven kobo (N21,672,888,705,07) to the Senator Aliyu Wamako led 17-man Senate Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex Abuja.
A statement by the Ministry said while giving a breakdown of the Budget Proposal, General Magashi said the sum of fifteen billion, four hundred and eighty one million, one hundred and fourteen thousand, four hundred and seventy one naira (#15,481,114,471.00) is proposed for Personnel Cost.
The Political Head of the Ministry of Defence who was supported by the Permanent Secretary Musa Istifanus said the sum of two billion, seventy- six million, four hundred and nine thousand, eight hundred and fourty-four naira (N2,076,409,844.00) is air marked for Overhead Cost of which (#1,520,000,000.00) is due to Brigade of Guards).
He went further to inform the Committee that Capital has four billion, one hundred and fifteen million, three hundred and sixty-four thousand, three hundred and ninety naira.(#4,115,364,390.00).
The Minister who had earlier given a blow- by- blow accounts of the 2021 Budget Performance fielded questions from the Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Defence.
The Defence Minister elucidated on areas of concerns raised by the Senators by making appropriate and adequate references to the annexures contained in the document before all members of the Committee.
The interrogation session was smooth and satisfactorily explained by the duo of the Minister and the Permanent Secretary after which the Committee Chairman Senator Wamako gave a brief remarks on the Strategic importance of the Ministry saddled with the National territorial defence.
Members also took their turn to commend the Minister of Defence for his high sense of responsibility, probity, accountability and prudency in managing the resources of the Ministry in the outgoing Fiscal year.
Expectedly the interface between the Senators and the Minister who was flanked by the Directors in the Ministry dovetailed into various concerns regarding the National Security Challenges facing the Country to which assurances were given that a new Order of Battle ,ORBAT to be out soon will address those dark Spots in parts of the country.
Dominica Nwabufo
