The presidency has reacted to allegations that $1 billion earmarked for procurement of weapons under the erstwhile service chiefs might have been embezzled or misappropriated.
Babagana Monguno, national security adviser, in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, had said there’s nothing on ground to show that the funds were judiciously used for what they were budgeted for.
He disclosed that the newly appointed service chiefs did not meet the funds approved for arms purchase when they assumed office in January.
However, in swift follow-up statement, the NSA office said Monguno’s comment was taken out of context, noting that his remarks were on efforts being made by Buhari to address the perennial and prevalent security challenges.
Reacting to Monguno claims, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says it was not possible to misappropriate funds meant for procuring military equipment under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Shehu who spoke when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Frida, said no part of the money allocated for the procurement of military equipment is missing.
He said the armed forces had made a lot of purchases, but the army has been having a bit of a problem with procurement which has been coming in installment.
He noted that it was possible that Monguno’s comment on the issue was misconstrued.
“I imagine you are talking about the $1 billion taken from the excess crude account with the consent from state governors and was used for military procurements. I want to assure you that nothing of that money is missing. The reference by it in the interview of the BBC in Hausa service by the national security adviser, I think, has been misconstrued and mistranslated,” Shehu said.
“The NSA made two critical points. One is that we don’t have enough which is a statement of fact, and two, procurements made have not been fully delivered”
Shehu disclosed that in August Nigeria government was allowed to buy 12 super Tucano aircraft perfect for the execution of terrorism war in north-east.
He noted that In addition to that, other arms of the military have also made procurements. The navy had done nearly 100 percent of their procurement — equipment delivered.
“The airforce has bought a number of attack helicopters — 35 helicopters from Ukraine. Some of them have been commissioned on national television. We have bought a lot of drones, but with the army, there have been problems with procurement. Equipment has been coming bits and in pieces.
“This is not ideal. In fact, our biggest procurement is coming from the UAE. As I speak to you now, it is held up in a situation only diplomacy will resolve. We were talking to them last week; the Nigerian minister of defence actually had a meeting with the ambassador of the UAE to Nigeria, and the idea is to resolve this so that the equipment held up will be released. We need them here.
“So all these procurements are ongoing; nothing you can buy on the shelf. NSA did not make accusations of misappropriation, because there is none in dealing with this matter” he said
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