Defence Ministry Reviews Security Debarment Allowance

Defence Ministry Reviews Security Debarment Allowance

The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has received the report of a 9-man Committee he inaugurated on Security Debarment Allowance and other welfare matters being agitated for by the retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Receiving the report General Magashi said he will study it and make recommendations for appropriate action that will be in the best interest of government and the retirees.

He said the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari is passionate about the welfare of the serving and retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and will do the needful when the recommendations are transmitted to him.

The Defence Minister therefore appealed to the retired personnel to be patient with government pointing out that they are not worst off than what they were before the inception of the present administration that has done so much to improve their welfare.

On his part, the Chairman of the committee Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile said the report is a product of Consultations with relevant stakeholders and clinical appraisal of the Manual of Financial Administration (MAFA) which came into effect on 9th November 2017 as well as the consideration of the Annual Total Emoluments (ATE) in relation to the Lumpsum to be paid according to ranks.

Rear Admiral Ofodile said the 8-point recommendations contained in the report also touched on other welfare issues regarding medical and scholarship for the children of the deceased and retired personnel.

The SDA Committee was inaugurated on 14 September this year, with the mandate to look into the demands of the retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for payment of Security Debarment Allowances ( SDA).

Signed

Mohammad Abdulkadri Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity.