The House of Representatives Committee on the Army has pledged its dedication to make sure the Nigerian Army is positioned on a pedestal to deal with the challenges of insecurity going through the nation.
Chairman of the committee, Hon Abdullahi Mamudu, pledged on the inauguration of the Committee, in Abuja.
He stated the Committee owes it a duty to Nigerians to deal with insecurity within the nation.
He stated the Committee has developed a four-year work plan that will likely be judiciously adopted inside particular durations to realize its mandate.
“Let us take this responsibility with all seriousness and know that we must put the Nigerian Army on a proper pedestal to be able to end the several challenges we have been having in terms of insecurity in the country. The House Committee on Army is one of the Standing Committees of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly by the power conferred in Section 62 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Order XVIII B Rule 131, Ninth Edition, Standing Order of the House of Representatives, 2016.
“This Order XVIII rule 131 which established the Army Standing Committee gives it the oversight mandate on the activities of the Nigerian Army, and may also by specific mandate of the House engage on any matter as directed.
“The committee oversight mandate includes:
- The Nigerian Army;
- Ammunition Depots, Forts, Arsenal, reservations and establishments
- Development projects of the Nigerian Army;
- Army Barracks, Landed property and appurtenances;
- Annual Budget estimates of the Army.”
He stated the scope of the committee’s actions additionally contains oversight of the Nigerian Army recruitment train.
“The Legislature is the only institution that distinguishes democracy from other forms of government. In most democracies, the Military and the Parliaments have been working together, that is what we also hope to achieve. The committee has a secretariat headed by a Clerk of the committee who is expected to discharge his duties with diligence, loyalty and unalloyed dedication to committee assignments,” Mamudu stated.
The chairman enjoined members to present most cooperation for the target to be achieved.