FG confirms purchase of N1.4b worth of vehicles for Niger Republic
It will be recalled that no matter the distance, advanced nations like United States of America, Russia and China, have taken actions in countries where they see threats to their national security and do anything, in terms of spending or fighting, to remove same.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that it approved the purchase of vehicles worth N1.4 billion for neighbouring Niger Republic to tackle insecurity.
The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, gave the confirmation on Wednesday, explaining that providing intervention to the neighbouring country is not new and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari, who approved the purchase.
According to her, President Buhari, whose actions she cannot question, has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly.
She added that the financial support, which is primarily for the purpose of enhancing capacity to protect their territory, based on a request by the Nigerien Government, is also in the best interest of the country.
The minister, who was speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President, responded to questions regarding documents released on social media which showed that the president approved the release of the funds on February 22, 2022, for the Niger Republic.
Independent journalist David Hundeyin, on Tuesday, had posted the photo of a budget office document showing the payment, questioning why the government made the payment.
He asked President Muhammadu Buhari to explain why “scarce” public sector resources were being expended on Niger Republic without it appearing “on official Budget Office documentation.”
The document generated reactions from many Nigerians online.
In the meantime, The DEFENDER reports that for many years, President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to take actions to any country he sees that insecurity comes from or through to affect his own country.
He has also been criticized for not taking such actions and on time too.
It will be recalled that no matter the distance, advanced nations like United States of America, Russia and China, have taken actions in countries where they see threats to their national security and do anything, in terms of spending or fighting, to remove same.
At home in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle had purchased patrol vehicles for Niger Republic to enable the neighbouring country fight bandits who come through the bothers o unleash terror in the Nigeria’s state.
