The Nigerian Army says three months of Ration Cash Allowances (RCA) of troops providing security to Chinese working at the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam Project in Niger state, have not been paid due to a delay in receipt of funds from the concerned institution.
It also said that it is not true that the three months of RCA were been diverted by any senior officer as alleged by some online media.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said this in a statement on Monday, September 25.
Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army has a zero-tolerance posture for any form of financial misappropriation and that it is strongly opposed to any action inimical to the morale of troops.
He said: “However, contrary to the insinuations made in the online report, preliminary investigation reveals that troops deployed at the Chinese Company in Niger state have always been paid in tranches by the Nigerian Army on receipt of the funds from the institution concerned.
“Accordingly, the last tranche payment of RCA by the affected institution for the troops deployed, elapsed on 28 February 2023. While the next tranche of payment is being processed, Army Headquarters has paid the troops covering the period 1 March – 30 June 2023 in a bid to ameliorate the operating conditions of the troops and keep them at par with deployments elsewhere.
“To cushion the effect of the tranche mode of payment, provision was made to feed the troops daily and this has been a routine. The troops’ RCA was therefore not diverted by any of the senior officers named in the publication or anyone else, as wrongly portrayed.
“Much as the NA understands the concern raised by the online media regarding these allegations, we wish to state unequivocally that, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the welfare of troops takes a premium place amongst other important schemes and considerations, as it is one of the vital pillars of his Command Philosophy, which is to provide “Sound Administration” for personnel of the NA.
According to the spokesperson, the Nigerian Army remains committed to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in the administration of the welfare of troops in all its operations and other endeavours, as contained in the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff “to transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.
Nwachukwu said: “The Nigerian Army does not only recognize the importance of ensuring the welfare and well-being of its personnel but also appreciates its positive impact on their overall morale.”
