The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has announced an increase in the daily Ration Cash Allowance for Nigerian Army troops from N1,500 to N3,000, effective from the end of March.
Mr Oluyede made the declaration on Wednesday while addressing officers and soldiers of the 81 Division at the 9th Brigade Parade Ground in Ikeja, Lagos, as part of his duty tour of project sites within the division’s area of responsibility.
Expressing disappointment that troops were still receiving N1,500 as their daily feeding allowance, the COAS assured them of his commitment to improving their welfare.
Mr Oluyede acknowledged the accommodation challenges faced by serving warrant officers, particularly those who do not own homes to retire to.
To address this, he revealed that the Nigerian Army has introduced a housing scheme to ensure that retiring officers have a place to live after service.
“I am going to build on what my predecessors have done in improving the welfare of our personnel. In December, under the Nigerian Army Housing Scheme, we unveiled the first set of houses in Abuja.
“As I speak, we are beginning a new set in Ibadan. We have also secured land for another set in Jos. Additionally, we are developing housing units in Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom states,” he said.
The COAS added that the scheme would provide soldiers with affordable housing options, noting that no other place in Nigeria offers two- or three-bedroom houses for as low as N8 million.
“This will ensure a widespread distribution of houses that soldiers can subscribe to. You will all agree with me that there is nowhere in Nigeria where you can buy a two- or three-bedroom house for as low as N8 million.
“This is a significant investment by the Army to ensure you have a comfortable post-service life. In fact, we are accelerating the process so that more personnel can benefit. I want you to believe in this system because it is worthwhile,” he said.
