The Honorable Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle has called for increased collaboration to expedite action in the funding of Defense sector to combat and FasTrack elimination of bandits and multiple criminalities across the nation.
The minister made the appeal during the presentation of the 2025 Budget proposal for the Ministry of Defense to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees at the national Assembly Complex in Abuja.
In a press release made available to CAPITALPOST, the minister underscores the importance of undiluted collaboration with lawmakers, while commending the unwavering commitment and cooperation of both the Senate and the House Committees on Defense matters.
He assured that their steadfastness in defense matters has informed the drastic reduction in terrorism and relative peace being experienced todate.
While emphasising the issue of finance as most critical in the war against terrorism, banditory, the minister described the current budget as insufficient in tackling modern security challenges in the nation.
Matawalle said, “with the right equipment, we can significantly resolve the battle against banditory” adding, the defense ministry is laden with a task of providing equipment to various regions, the goal that is being frustrated by budget constraint.
“In 2024, we were only able to procure some Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). We need more APCs to tackle insecurity swiftly” he said.
Considering the unmitigated pressure to secure life and property, Matawalle remained hopeful that the legislative bodies would not hesitate increasing the budget allocation for the defense ministry for it’s equipment to combat fresh attacks and strengthenong action against banditory.
In response, the leadership of the Defense Committees assured the minister, of their relentless effort to meet Defense need, as it will engender success of the President’s Renew Hope Agenda.
The minister of Defense was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda and a retinue of directors of the ministry in quest of budget stimulus.
