By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Apparently to curb the influx of insurgents into Nigeria, the federal government on
Wednesday confirmed the approval of the sum of N1.145b to the government of
Niger Republic.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed confirmed the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari while briefing State House Correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council ( FEC) meeting presided over by the President in the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister who noted that the President reserved the right to take decisions in the interest of Nigeria, stressed that the gesture is part of the good neighbourliness existing between the two sister countries especially in the face of insecurity facing the neighbouring nations.
Said she: This was not the first time the country is proving such interventions to her neighbors. It is for the good of the nation”.
The Minister also noted that it is the President’s prerogatives to take such decisions after a careful assessment of the situation.
“Let me just say that overtime, Nigeria has had to support its neighbors especially the immediate neighbors to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria had assisted Niger Republic, Cameroon or Chad.
“The President makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their Presidents. Such requests are approved and interventions are provided.
“It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria”, she argued.
The Minister added that “ Nigerians have the rights to ask questions, but also the President has the responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interest of the country and I cannot question the decision myself.
“I have said this is not the first time and that Nigeria as a country has provided an intervention to our neighbors. It is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so”, she concluded.
Reports in the media had indicated that the President approved about 10 number of Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles to the Niger
Republic authorities, but did not however, specify the purpose for such approval, although the Minister has cleared air on it.
