Soldiers grumble over N6bn salary arrears

Chris Agbambu, Abuja - 18.02.2008

OFFICERS and men of the Nigerian Army may have started grumbling over the delay in the payment of the N6 billion consolidated salary arrears.

Already, the delay in the payment is taking its toll on activities of the Nigerian Army. Consequently, it was gathered that this year’s range classification exercise slated to hold in Nasarawa State may have been postponed over the issue as it was feared that soldiers may deliberately refuse orders from their superiors.

Nigerian Tribune, however, gathered that the army authorities are making efforts to ensure that the consolidated arrears were paid as soon as possible in order to douse tension among the soldiers.

Already and in order to ensure prompt payment, there had been a change in the military hierarchy responsible for the payment of the arrears.

The Director of Army Finance and Accounts, Major General Joe Lartey, has been redeployed and replaced by Brigadier General, Charles Chris.

The Federal Government had last year released N11 billion to pay outstanding salary arrears for one year to soldiers but reports said N6 billion had allegedly been dwarfed.