NAF Demands More Budgetary Allocation For Armaments, New Units, FOBs
By Kassim Omomia
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar has demanded more funding for the service to sustain the fight against insurgents, bandits in the North and the nation in general in line with its constitutional mandate to protect the territorial integrity of the nation
He praised the support of president Muhhamadu Buhari to the NAF but requested for more money to maintain existing as well as acquiring more plartforms, field operational base, purchasing of new aircrafts, arms and other armaments for the Airforce
According to him, there was need for extra budgetary funding beyond the ‘Envelope’
The CAS while briefing the House Committee during the budget defence, said the Air Force has delivered on its constitutional mandate such that Nigeria’s Territorial integrity is not undermined
He noted that though releases for the 2020 budget have not been complete, a reasonable percentage of between 65 and 97 percent has been achieved
For instance, he said the NAF budget of 2020 was N136 billion of which N106 is for Personel and overhead and N26 bn for capital, all of which achieved a reasonable level of releases in terms of percentage.
For the 2021 budget, N142bn, comprising, 191bn for PE and overhead and N32billion for capital. He noted that even though the service has been enrolled in FG’ s IPPIS, so much is needed for both capital and Overhead because operations of the service has increased because of increasing insecurity in the country that the NAF has been critically involved.
Air Marshall Sadique explained further that it has built new units in Agatu , Ipetu- Ijesha, Birnin Gwari and many more , with additional men and logistics for which increased funding is required in the 2021 budget
He said we are have built new units in Agatu, Ipetu- ilesha and Birnin Gwari. We need more funds. About 12000 from 11000 Personel , we are expecting 17 more aircrafts. We need more in our Capital budget to bring in new plartforms, ongoing infrastructures, 3 war aircraft from Pakistan costing about 17bn. We need arms , ammunition. . Others are Spares, Upgrade of barracks and rehabilitation of the Kaniji runaway which we want to use our own engineers and direct labour to bring in the super tulcano”.
“We need new consideration. We pledge our loyalty. Pls approve our budget with our appeal for review so that we can continue to perform our constitutional role” the CAS, stated.
Meanwhile chairman of the Committee, Dr Shehu Koko, commended president Muhhamadu Buhari for the support he has given the service and assured that the committee will look into the fresh demands of NAF and do the needful because of the successes and the enviable role the service has played in the fight against bandits and insurgents and general aeriel security the force has offered in the entire nation
