Chigozie Amadi
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on the federal government to prioritise funding for the armed forces and other security agencies in the country.
They commended the swift nature in which security agencies swing into action in resolving security challenges in the country.
Specifically, the CSOs called on the Accountant General of the Federation, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to ensure swift release of funding for the Nigerian Army and paramilitary sectors, with emphasis made on prioritising payment of backlog and future obligatory payments.
They further underpinned swift compliance and consideration as impetus for safeguarding the economy at large, via the security sector.
Besides, they congratulated the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun and his team for qualifying for $2.5billion at one per cent interest.
Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) through its Peace-building and Conflict Prevention and rule of law cluster under the North-east and North-west Prevention Facility also urged the Minister of Finance and the Account General of the Federation to see funding for armed forces as priority.
The organisation noted that aside the Boko Haram menace in the North-east region, the North-west region of Nigeria have experienced a significant increase in conflicts, primarily driven by intercommunal clashes between the nomadic herders and farmers, resource disputes, ethnic tensions, armed and organised criminal activities – banditry.
These conflicts, they added, have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of communities, and socio-economic instability.
The organisation noted that security experts have attributed weak funding of the armed forces.
A statement issued by the UNDP on its website states “One thing is certain, the coordinating minister of economy, and minister of finance, Mr. Wale Edun is adhering strictly to the tenets of empirical micro and macro-economics, solely aimed at reshaping the Nigerian economy. This has gained Nigeria enormous respect before the Bretton Woods Institutions (the IMF and World Bank) and international community at large as a result.
“Having been appointed to Chair the African Governor’s forum of the World Bank, which marks the first time Nigeria has assumed the role of Chairman in 60 years. It is only fair to live up to impeccable expectations. But with policies, like cutting the cash in circulation to rein in inflation which are critical indices for sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy. Certain sectors, especially the security sector must be well serviced to ensure the preservation of national-security and the sanctity of life and property.
“Most economic experts have passed a vote of confidence on the Wale Edun-Cardaso stewardship of the economy, and many have also commended the formidable team of men and women at the ministry of finance, office of the Accountant General and the CBN for the highest professionalism during these very challenging economic times.
“The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also pleased to announce this call for proposals inviting interested organisations to submit grant proposals for conflict prevention initiatives in the North east and North-west region of Nigeria to support the good works of the Nigerian army.
“This call aims to address the escalating conflicts and promote peace-building and rule of law efforts in the region.”
