The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. - Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday challenged officers of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps, to key into the Federal Government's financial policies to ensure prudence and accountability in their operations.

Buratai made the remark at the opening of the 10th Bienniel Training Conference of the Corps in Kaduna.

The conference has as its theme: ‘Impact of evolving Federal Government Policies on the Operational Roles of the Nigerian Army amidst Dwindling Budgetary Allocation.’

The COAS, who described the finance corps as key to the operational efficiency of the Army, urged it to be proactive and ensure prudence, integrity and accountability in its activities.

Buratai said the daunting challenges faced by the Army in containing insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal oil bunkering would only be sustained through adequate funding.

He therefore said that the corps must “embrace procedures and practices that would support the Nigerian Army to achieve value for money in all operations.”

The Army chief also advised them to manage the accounts of the Army efficiently and strictly in accordance with financial regulations to avoid audit queries.

Buratai noted with satisfaction the introduction of new services by the finance corps which had impacted positively on the morale of soldiers.

“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the Corps towards efficient service delivery to the Nigerian Army.

“I have taken special note of your reforms in the areas of administration of troops pay and allowances.

“I am also aware of the pace set by the Nigerian Army Biometric Enrolment Exercise, which stands out as a model to other services and the nation at large.

“The new innovation of using Short Messaging Service (SMS) to alert officers and warrant officers of payment of salaries can also not be overlooked.

“All these, put together, have definitely added value to financial service delivery of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps.”

The Army chief urged the 201 participants to deeply appreciate the challenges likely to be posed by the new financial policies of the government including the Treasury Single Account on the day to day operations of the Army.

In his speech, Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State commended the officers and men of the Army for their selfless sacrifices in the defence of the nation.

He said it was important for the finance corps to properly utilise the funds that accrued to it in view of dwindling resources and the urgent need to keep the morale of soldiers high.

The governor explained that the new financial policies introduced by the federal government were to enhance accountability, curtail corruption and enhance service delivery. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gen. Buratai