Abuja – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a resolution, urging the Federal Government to pay within three months, the entitlements of the security personnel who died in active service.
The motion which was sponsored by Rep. Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo-PDP) was unanimously adopted by the house through a voice vote.
Agbonayinma had expressed concern that the entitlements of the security personnel who lost their lives fighting insurgency in the North-East since 2009 had not been paid.
He said it was a standard practice for entitlements of such deceased personnel to be paid to their next of kin.
He said that this was imperative to protect the integrity of the nation.
“Many months after the death of these heroes, no payment of entitlements have been made to their families. Their spouses and children are left in desperate situations.
“Some are left without any form of livelihood,’’ he said.
Agbonayinma said that further delay in the payment of the entitlements would dampen the morale and willingness of serving security agents to perform their duties.
Contributing, Rep. Nnenna Ukeje (Abia-PDP), said that prompt payment of the entitlements was crucial in fostering a stronger and committed military in the country.
“It will also be right for the Federal Government to come up with something institutional that will protect our veterans,’’ Ukeje added.
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Also, Rep. Sani Abdu (Bauchi-APC), said there was need for the House Committee on Defence to investigate the delay in the payment of the entitlements.
Abdul added, “this has also brought about concerns to the level of implementation of the Military Act as regards payment of entitlements.
“We need to investigate it to ensure efficiency in the system.”
The house, therefore, mandated its committee on defence to investigate what was responsible for the non-payment of the entitlements.
It also resolved that a trust fund be established for the purpose of educating the children of the dead security personnel up to the tertiary level. (NAN)