By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state has called for increased funding for the the armed forces to enable military effectively tackle the problem of insecurity facing the country.

Suswam spoke yesterday, during the flag off of the Nigerian Navy Small Arms Firing Competition, NNSAFC, in Makurdi, the state capital, adding that no nation could attain any level of development without a well funded military.

He was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani.

Suswam said, “there is no contestation about the issue of improved funding for the armed forces. In fact, the armed forces require the best funding we can think of at this moment; more so that without adequate security, no nation can attain desired meaningful stability and development.

“There are also strong reasons for government to always support the Nigerian Navy because the force is the tireless and vigilant custodian of the security of our maritime environment.

“It is statutorily empowered to provide security to the vast oil and gas industry in the nation’s waters as well as our strategic lines of communication, and given our present dependence on oil revenues, the Nigerian Navy is undeniably a major contributor to the economic mainstay of the country.”

Speaking, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin lauded government’s huge investments in the force and urged officers and ratings to use the competition to prepare themselves for greater responsibilities.