Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocation to carter for, not only the expansion of Army Barracks but for the welfare of the serving Military personnel, the Legion, their orphans, their wives and other dependents.
He made the proposal when the House of Representatives Committee on Army on oversight function in Imo State paid a courtesy visit on him at the Government House, Owerri on Monday, May 6.
Governor Uzodinma pleaded with the National Assembly to consider giving the Army the necessary support so as to encourage them to come out and defend the State effectively, noting that, “sufficient funding is the answer.”
He continued by saying that the Federal Government and National Assembly should place the highest importance on the welfare of the Military in order to maintain Nigerian democracy.
He greeted the Committee with a warm greeting to Imo State and advised the Brigade Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, to take advantage of the visit to apprise the members of the issues confronting the Army in the State as a whole and the Command specifically.
He expressed the expectation that the visit will provide relief from the Army’s numerous problems and perhaps even offer solutions for the problems they face in Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma recalled that recently, the Army in Imo State and the South East were challenged by criminal elements who indulge in banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and destruction of public and private investments, suggesting that it has become necessary to ask for the assistance of the Nigerian Army in Imo State and South East to deal with the afore mentioned vices.
He recalled that recently, some military officers lost there lives to banditry, leaving behind orphans, widows and family dependants, and emphasized that such persons need support and assistance from the Federal and State Governments.
To cushion the effect of the problems those families living in the barracks are having, the Governor suggested that they need empowerment, power supply, means of transportation and even skill acquisition to survive the vagaries of life they go through.
Governor Uzodimma however acknowledged the synergy between the Army and other Security Agencies, saying that such has become necessary to enable all of them to put in their best.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee on Army, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Mamudu, accompanied by other members told the Governor that they were in Imo State on oversight function of the Military formations and thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to visit him despite his tight schedule.
The Chairman added that their visit to the Governor, who is their senior colleague and veteran lawmaker, is to draw from his wealth of experience and seek his blessings.
He said their responsibility is to look at the budget of the Nigerian Army and to go round to ascertain what is on ground in relation to what the National Assembly provided for them.
He congratulated the Governor and the people of Imo State for reelecting him for the second tenure and described Senator Uzodimma as “a transparent and straight forward man who is leading his people aright,” just as he urged him to continue to do well for his people.
Present to receive the Committee were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and members of the Imo State Expanded Executive Council.
Other members of the Committee who came with the Chairman include Hon. Emeka Chinedu, Hon. Harrison Anozie Nwadike, Hon. Mathew Nwogu, Hon. Fom Dalyop Chollom and of course, the Commandant 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brig. Gen. U A Lawal.