Bandits attack: We need about N2.14bn to erect perimeter fence for conduct of POP, others – NDA

By Christiana Ekpa

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has revealed that it needs about N2.14 billion to erect a perimeter fence and conduct Passing Out Parade (POP), Armed Forces Selection Board interview for cadets, buy diesel, fuel, lubricants and maintain generators, lift, sewage, utilities other basic amenities.

This was just as the NDA in it’s presentation submitted by Commandant of the Academy, Major General Ibrahim Yusuf, showed that N748 million was to build a fence around the permanent site of the academy in the Afaka area of Kaduna recently attacked by bandits and its old site in Kaduna metropolis.

NDA made the request at its 2022 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence chaired by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

The breakdown indicates that out of the N748 million requested, N250 million was for perimeter fencing, while  N250 million will be used for concrete fencing. The balance of N248 million would be used to construct a perimeter fence around the old NDA site at Ribadu cantonment in Kaduna via direct labour.

Similarly, while N300 million was earmarked for the conduct the Passing Out Parade, another N200 million will be required annually to conduct the Armed Forces Selection Board interview for cadets.

Also, another N200 million has been proposed as the overhead to buy diesel, fuel, lubricants as well as maintain generators, lift, sewage, utilities and other basic amenities.

The Academy was also seeking the sum of N450 million monthly allocation for the University wing of the institution to fund the academic branch training curriculum just as it requested the sum of N250 million annually for research and development activities.

The Commandant who underscored the importance of the projects to enable them realize their objectives said, “the present security challenges within Kaduna metropolis has necessitated the construction of perimeter fencing road network that would secure these structures. Hence the need for the construction of fence at NDA Ribadu becomes imperative. This, the sum of Two Hundred and Forty Eight million naira (N248,000,000.00) only is estimated to cover the cost for the perimeter fencing at Ribadu. 

“This distinguished committee is once again requested to consider and approve the funding of the perimeter fence as part of measures to tackle the current security challenges in Ribadu Cantonment. Besides, the Academy also stated that N230 million was needed to rehabilitate its football pitch and athletic tracks to “provide a conducive learning environment, while another N200 million is needed to construct, through direct labour, the Academy Registrar’s residence.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Benson sought for the release of certificate to 19 cadets who were dismissed month ago based on some infractions.

According to him, withdrawing the certificate in its entirety makes them vulnerable, unemployed and unfulfilled, hence the certificates should be given to them so that they can pursue other endeavour outside the Armed forces.

He said, “It’s the largest cadet training facility in Africa. Currently, we have students throughout the country and their intakes are growing by the day. So, they have requested for additional funding and we believed it is truly required  because we really need to fortify the academy and our cadets need to be safe. Also on overhead issue, the academy is increasing by the day that is the biggest cadet training in Africa. So, they have asked us to assist them with more fund and we asked them why the request is not coming directly from the Federal Government. We believe the additional funding is needed and we will ensure we assist them because the NDA needs to attain the eminence and the quality it truly deserved.

“NDA is not an ordinary school and we leave in interest time, a secure nation is a prosperous nation, presently we are going through challenging period, so we need to wrap up the amount of military personnel we have and the best way we can is to train them through the NDA system by giving them the best military training and curriculum that will teach them to fight insurgency. So it is not like any other University.”