The House of Representatives Committee on Army on Tuesday pledged its readiness to support the Nigerian Army in its quest to make the country safe and secure for all Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Mamudu, gave the assurance at the maiden meeting of the panel at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
This is just as he disclosed that the committee has developed a four-week work plan to enable it to deliver on its mandate for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
Welcoming members to the meeting, the lawmaker said, “Let us take this responsibility with all seriousness and know that we must put the Nigerian Army on a proper pedestal to be able to end the several challenges we have been having in terms of insecurity in the country.
“The House Committee on Army is one the Standing Committees of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly by the power conferred in Section 62 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Order XVIII B Rule 131, Ninth Edition, Standing Order of the House of Representatives, 2016.
“This Order XVIII Rule 131 which established the Army Standing committee, gives it the oversight mandate on the activities of the Nigerian Army, and may also by specific mandate of the House engage on any matter as directed.
“The committee oversight mandate includes The Nigerian Army; Ammunition Depots, Forts, Arsenal, reservations and establishments; Development projects of the Nigerian Army; Army Barracks, landed property and appurtenances; and Annual budget estimates of the Army.”
He added, “The Legislature is the only institution that distinguishes democracy from other forms of government. In most democracies, the military and the parliaments have been working together, that is what we also hope to achieve. The committee has a secretariat headed by a clerk of the committee who is expected to discharge his duties with diligence, loyalty and unalloyed dedication to committee assignments.”
