Nigerian soldiers: salary payments delayed

Maj.-Gen. Hassan Umaru, the Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole was literally on his knees Wednesday pleading with soldiers to exercise some patience about their unpaid salaries.

Umaru told the soldiers in Maiduguri that  the delay in payment of allowances to some of its officers  was caused by the challenges of implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA) by the Federal Government.

, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the troops of the Nigerian Army had done

He said the authorities were doing all within their power to fast track payment of the allowances of the troops , who he praised for doing the country proud by their gallant efforts against the Boko Haram insurgents.

“Let me acknowledge the tremendous successes and achievements of our gallant troops in the field. Their discipline, determination, courage and selfless service are highly appreciated by our dear nation and the world at large.”

However, Umaru said that the introduction of the TSA last year by the Federal Government slowed down businesses in some agencies, the military inclusive.

“We are all aware of government’s introduction of the TSA, which in one way or the other affected government organisations. The development also affected the payment of salaries to civilians, apart from the officers and men of the Armed Forces.”

The theatre commander said some troops in the theatre  had also not been paid allowances due to the development, noting that there were some other administrative issues hindering payment of the troops allowances.

“There are issues of duplication of names, wrong account numbers, improper Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and the new policy of remitting allowances directly into individuals’ accounts,’’ the commander said.

He said both the Federal Government and the military authorities were making efforts to provide more logistics to enhance the troops operation.

“The Federal Government and the military hierarchy are doing their best to support this noble course in terms of logistics.

“I urge you to remain focused in achieving our mandate. You should not allow yourselves to be misguided by unscrupulous elements.

“I must as well appreciate the invaluable support of the present administration, the government and the good people of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe for their support in the fight against terror. Let me thank the media for their patriotism and commitment in bringing peace to the North East.”