Minister of state for defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has said the approved 2024 budget of the Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) will ensure effective operation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
A statement by the director of information in the Ministry of Defence, Mr Henshaw Ogunike said the minister spoke at the 34th meeting of the Board of Directors of the organisation at Ship House.
Matawalle told the board members that the estimated budget had demonstrated once again President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in making welfare of the Nigerian military a top priority.
He, therefore, charged them to be prudent and effective in the management of the resources in fulfillment of DHML’s mandate.
He added that the Board’s endorsement for the payment of a severance allowance equivalent to 40% of the staff basic salary was another demonstration that the welfare of staff of the organization is of top priority as well.
The minister said that the Defence Health Maintenance Limited is living up to expectation in providing healthcare services to the veterans.
He further promised that the government would continue to prioritize provision of quality healthcare services to veterans and citizens at large.
The minister has directed a technical committee to be set up to look into some of the challenges of the organization and on how best to address these challenges for effective operation.
In attendance were members of the board which included, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kanai, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher G. Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Toreeb Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar.
Others are the managing director of DHML, Rear Admiral AB Afolayan (rtd), Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the minister of state for defence, Brigadier General M.N. Inuwa and other senior officials from DHML.