Reps want Army engineers engaged in Northeast’s reconstruction
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Executive arm to ensure the full engagement of the services of the Nigerian Army in the physical reconstruction of the Northeast region.
The House said to ensure this, the Federal Government should direct all relevant ministries, departments and agencies to dedicate a substantial part of their annual budgetary provisions for civil engineering contracts for award to the Nigerian Army based on competitive bidding.
This, the lawmakers said, would assist in diversifying the Army’s revenue base.
Adopting a motion by Rep Muhammad Sani Zorro (APC, Jigawa) and three others, the House also urged the board of the yet-to-be constituted North East Development Commission (NEDC) to partner with the Nigerian Army to deliver on civil construction works in the region.
Zorro said the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers has huge potential, which, if properly deployed, could accelerate the provision of infrastructure nationwide, particularly in the North East region.
He said the Nigerian Army is well-known for the construction of bridges, roads, emergency hospitals, shelters, schools, barracks, police stations, among others in the country.
By patronizing the Army, he said, it could lead to selfsufficiency in their finances, as is the case with the US and Egyptian armies, instead of over relying on budgetary appropriations.
While urging the Senate to concur with the motion in view of its significance, the House directed its committee on legislative compliance to ensure that the resolution is complied with.