By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the payment of peculiar allowances to paramilitary officers in the Ministry even as he reiterated that government has embedded it in their salaries.
He expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu, to the implementation of the approved peculiar allowance, increase in rent subsidy for paramilitary officers and men under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.
The Minister made the declaration while answering questions on a magazine programme in a Radio Station in Abuja recently.
Tunji-Ojo, debunked the insinuation from some quarters that money meant for the implementation of the new allowances has been misappropriated.
The Minister, added that peculiar allowance for the paramilitary services was approved this year by the government which is going to be embedded in their salaries.
He added that; at that time the 2023 budget had gone, after approval from Salaries and Wages Commission, he said it would take effect after appropriation by the National Assembly in the next budget.
The Minister while making further clarification on the matter said that all these processes are necessary procedures, no body spent government funds outside budget, confirming that doing otherwise, is criminal act.
The Minister assured all the beneficiaries that they would get every kobo that has been approved for them, stating that nobody will misappropriate their new allowances, this he vowed will never happen under his watch.
He also gave the hints that he is already working with Nigeria Salaries and Wages Commission to regularise the salaries of Paramilitary officers to be aper with the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the Minister, because of the risks these services takes while on operations, he said his Ministry is working assiduously in creating a Paramilitary Pension Board (PPP), as the case with the Military and Police Pension Board, respectively.
He said these Services deserve it, stating that due to their operational hazards they encountered while on duties.
The Minister said all these measures being taken is for his men to be happy while on duty, he said that would heighten their spirits and patriotism to the nation, adding that: “to whom much is given, much would be expected.”