The Nigerian Army has approved an upward review of monthly ration allowance to military men, from N1,000 to N1,200.
According to Peoples Gazette, this was contained in a memo signed by Major-General, Emmanuel Emekah on behalf of the chief of army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, which surfaced amid reports of soldiers lamenting over poor welfare and delayed salaries.
The approval of raise in allowance came on July 27, according to the memo whose authenticity the Gazette reports was confirmed by officers.
It read in part: “Sequel to the recent removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government of Nigeria, with its attendant rise in the prices of goods and services across the country, the COAS has graciously approved upward review of ration cash allowance of troops from N1,000 to N1,200 with effect from August 2023.”
A lieutenant who craved anonymity told The Gazette; “Members of my unit are already complaining that the allowance is just too poor. They were expecting about N5,000 in ration allowance because their salaries are too low already. Most of them earn less than N70,000 per month.”
The development comes as Nigerians have commenced protests across the country over the petrol subsidy removal, which has seen commodity prices rise exponentially.
Meanwhile in another news…
Angry protesters on Wednesday, August 2nd pulled down the gate of the National Assembly in the Federal Capital Territory.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo of the Trade Union Congress led the group protesting against the removal of subsidy on petrol nationwide.
The Organised labour leaders had asked security operatives stationed at the legislative building to open the gates to allow the angry workers to express their displeasure, but they refused.
This provoked the protesters who then pulled down the gates and forced their way into the assembly complex to vent their anger.
Upon learning that protesters had invaded the legislative building, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio immediately convened a closed-door session with senators and upon his emergence from the meeting said the red chamber has set up a three-man committee to meet with the protesters at the National Assembly.
