Ministry of Defence to begin metering, rehabilitation of barracks
By Muhyideen Jimoh
NAN-DS-9
Metering
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Nov. 8, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Defence, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, has said that the ministry will commence the zonal metering of all barracks in the country in 2017.
Dan-Ali disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the oversight visit of the Senate Committee on Defence to the ministry.
He said that the metering project was part of the rehabilitation of all barracks in the country and the need to avoid debts.
“In our efforts to continuously ensure transparency, my Ministry intends to commence the metering of our barracks from 2017 on zonal basis,
“As usual, I want to count on the support of this distinguished Committee to ensure that the project becomes a reality,” he said.
The minister who gave a breakdown of the Ministry’s 2016 budget performance report, said that projects on barrack rehabilitation in the six zones of the Federation had been advertised.
He said that 18 other projects had been advertised while three ongoing projects were at various levels of execution.
Dan-Ali noted that N28.9 billion was appropriated for the ministry in the 2016 budget with 96 per cent of overhead and 71 percent capital released as at Oct. 31.
He, however, lamented the late release of funds and low overhead cost, which he said was a major challenge facing the ministry in carrying out its mandate.
He appealed to the National Assembly for more funding for the ministry to enable it to execute numerous projects.
He said some of the priority projects include; barracks rehabilitation, establishment of Military Industrial Complex, procurement of Military hardware and payment of outstanding debts.
Earlier, Chairman Senate Committee Chairman on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawal, commended the ministry for the improved security in the North-East and Nigeria.
He said that the visit was meant to monitor the implementation of the budget for the ministry and challenges being encountered.
He stressed the need for peace and security for any meaningful development to take place in the country.
The Chairman also emphasised the need for the Committee to be furnished with details of all ongoing projects and budget implementation performance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Committee is expected to visit other Defence formations as part of its oversight functions.(NAN)
MUYI/AMY/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf