By Tony Akowe, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Army to investigate the non-payment and under-utilization of non-regular allowances of personnel of the Nigerian Army despite increment in budgetary allocation.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba.

Leading a debate on the motion, Nalaraba said the upward review of Non-Regular Allowance of the Nigerian Army in 2017 was to ensure that serving Army Personnel are adequately remunerated and motivated for optimum performance in the provision of adequate security in the country.

The House also notes that Non-Regular Allowance which includes payments such as the First 28 days allowance, Operations allowance and Duty Tour Allowance of soldiers and officers was necessitated to mitigate the effects of current economic realities on the welfare of troops and the entire personnel of the Nigerian Army.

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He disclosed that the increment was captured in the Manual of Finance Administration (MAFA) and approved for implementation by the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria on 26th January 2018.

He however expressed concerned that despite the increment in budgetary provision for Non-Regular Allowances from N283 billion in 2020 to about N380 billion in 2021, the welfare of Army personnel have not felt the corresponding effect and Personnel of the Nigerian Army involved in internal security operations, training and performance of other military duties are still being owed various types of Non-Regular Allowances.

He reminded the House that the country is currently facing several security challenges which required the Nigerian Army to be involved in internal security operations which include anti-insurgency operations in the North East, anti-banditry operations in the North West, anti- bunkering in the South-South and anti-kidnapping across the country.