Teddy Oscar, Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday wrote to the National Assembly, requesting the two chambers’ approval to borrow the sum of $1 billion to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
In two separate letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives, Jonathan explained that the money would be used to equip the security agencies to tackle the security challenges facing the country.
Addressing the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker House, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Jonathan said the prevailing security challenge posed by the Boko Haram insurgents warranted the approval being sought for external borrowing in order to confront the menace.
He informed the lawmakers that the money is needed to provide equipments, training and logistics for the Armed Forces to seriously confront the security challenge.
Jonathan further explained that the money would be used to upgrade military equipment in Nigeria, as well as to enable the Federal Government to partner with other governments in dealing with the menace.
“You are no doubt cognizant of the ongoing and serious security challenges which the nation is facing , as typified by the Boko Haram terrorist threat. This is an issue that we have discussed at various times.
“I would like to bring to your attention the urgent need to upgrade the equipment, training and logistics of our Armed Forces and Security Services to enable them more forcefully confront this serious threat.
“For this reason, I seek the concurrence of the National Assembly for external borrowing of not more than $1billion dollars including government to government arrangements for this upgrade,” the letter read.
The letter is entitled ‘Tackling Ongoing Security Challenges: Need for Urgent Action’.
Following the activities of the Boko Haram sect in northeastern part of the country, the government declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
The National Assembly had, in the N4.6 trillion 2014 Budget provisions, appropriated the sum of N968.127 billion for defence in order to effectively combat the Boko Haram insurgency, which has posed a serious challenge to this government and the citizenry in the past few years.
It is expected that the request would be considered today (Thursday) on account of its urgency, as both chambers of the National Assembly are likely to embark on their annual recess today.
“This is an issue we have discussed at various times,” the letter added.
