The Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Fidelia Njeze, has described the security situation in the Niger Delta as a challenge to the Nigerian Army.
Njeze said this on Monday during her visit to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu to monitor the ongoing military pension verification exercise.
She also admitted that it was not easy to maintain security in the oil-rich region, saying that the Army had performed creditably in containing the youth restiveness in the area.
Njeze said that despite the great involvement of the nation�s armed forces in international peace-keeping efforts, Nigeria had not gained much in return.
She added that the Federal Government had devised plans that would enable the country to �get something in return� for its efforts in global peace-keeping operations.
The defense minister also disclosed that President Umaru Yar�Adua had approved the inclusion of medically-boarded soldiers in the pension scheme.
She reiterated the Federal Government�s commitment to the improvement of welfare and training of military officers, adding that they deserve the best of everything.
Commending the 82 Division for the roles it played in maintaining security in Enugu and its environs, Njeze urged the officers and men to be subordinate to civil authorities.
She added that government was aware that the force needed equipment and weapons to achieve its goals, promising that the government would continue to meet the expectations of the military.
Njeze said, �We know that the Armed Forces, especially soldiers deserve the best.
�They deserve the best cars and houses. This is important, so that they can continue to maintain the territorial integrity of the nation.
�We appreciate the role the Army is playing in the Niger Delta; it is not easy to maintain security in this area, but the Army has performed well.�
The minister later met with some of the military retirees who complained that they had not been paid for the past six months.
Dec42007