Federal government has linked stifled economic activities and low revenue generation to the ongoing military operations against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, saying their activities have continued to drain government resources, both human and financial.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya, said this on Thursday while delivering a lecture titled, “Managing Financial Resources in the Face of Rising Contemporary Security Challenges: Federal Government Financial Reforms in Perspective”, at the Nigerian Air Force Finance Seminar 2024, in Abuja.
Jafiya said peace was desperately desired across the country, and without peace, the nation might not have an economy that is thriving to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
“In this respect, citizens’ security must be given its rightful place as it helps in minimizing crime and creating the right environment for investments and growth.
“Peace-development nexus is a roadmap to progress, and it is required in defining our engagement from the Military and fiscal policy perspectives, the connection between security and Public Financial Management is symbiotic.
“Without security, economic activities are stifled, revenue generation suffers, and the capacity of the Nation and Sub-nationals to finance its operations, including security, diminishes.
“Conversely, without sound Public Financial Management (PFM), the resources needed to address security challenges effectively cannot be mobilized,” she said.
Jafiya said President Tinubu’s administration introduced financial reforms that were audacious to promote accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline, thus ensuring the effective delivery of goods and services to the citizenry.
She commended the NAF for fostering a culture of accountability in the management of its finances through capacity building of its personnel in charge of managing the funds.
According to her, the financial management, procurement processes, and audit functions should also be aligned with the Federal Government’s financial reforms.
She added that this would ensure that the military and security agencies have personnel who are tactically proficient and possess an understanding of the various financial reforms in their day-to-day operations.
Jafiya advised that the military should place a greater emphasis on the outputs and outcomes that are expected to be delivered based on the public funds they receive, and determine whether the requested resources are commensurate with the objectives to be achieved.
“They should begin to undertake their activities using the non-kinetic method which is less expensive and more friendly.”