Defense chief Irabor begs ex-servicemen for unpaid allowances

The Chief of the Defense Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has appealed to retired military officers to be patient with the federal government in paying their security lockout allowance.

According to him, those who retired before the law was enacted were not qualified to receive the allowance, adding that the magnanimity of the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was needed to revise the law.

He said that instead of making negative comments about the payment delay, the president deserved praise.

Irabor spoke at the 42nd Anniversary Dinner of the Nigerian Defense Academy 28 Regular Course Welfare Association on Saturday night in Abuja.

He said: “There have been some venomous comments made about the SDA which I think have been misrepresented. While I must credit those of you here for changing the perspective of those making these comments, perhaps those making these comments should go to their maker to seek forgiveness.

“The reason I say this is that the policy that brought this about was signed in November 2017 and included the provision therein to accommodate those who have retired from that day. It took the magnanimity of the president through the minister to look at it again and approve that everyone who has ever served in the military should be taken care of. I believe that is legendary and commendable.

“The availability of resources, you know the issues around military operations and issues around the table of organization and equipment.

“Resources are needed to get our TOE to a reasonable level. Our combat efficiency, you all know where it was and where it is. Raising a total amount of N132 billion to pay in one installment was not easy. However, approval was given to treat it within three to five years, which has been modified to be treated within three years. If some of us who should know are now going to incite a few others to demonstrate against this, it needs some kind of reconsideration.

“Fortunately, the reason is being put forward and the first tranche was paid at the beginning of this year. I use this medium to appeal to us especially on that point, so that it is put to rest, believing and trusting that those who implement it too faithfully do so. “

The President, 28 Regular Course Welfare Association, Vice Admiral Ndidi Agholor (Retd) appreciated the President for reviewing the policy to accommodate those who retired before 2017.

He said: “We were certainly concerned when we were left out of those to take advantage of the SDA. This is because the meaning of the allowance is that the state should pay at our retirement for our competencies and skills that we have acquired so that we do not use them negatively.

“If it has now become discriminatory, does that mean those who retired before 2017 would use their skills as they please? We thank the President’s magnanimity for changing the exclusion policy.