The Nigerian Army on Friday said that no fewer than 6,022 of its personnel would be captured in a biometric enrolment exercise for the 75 regular recruits intake.

Inaugurating the personnel in Zaria, Kaduna State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said he was aware of the efforts made on the computerisation of the functions of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps.

He said that the exercise was in line with the ongoing financial reforms of the Federal Government.

“The Nigerian Army as a vital arm of government, will surely leave no stone un-turned in ensuring the full implementation of all programmes and policies of the Federal Government.

“I strongly believe that the objectives of these programmes are to improve service delivery in the Nigerian Army and the government in general, and to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

“The need to maintain a robust personnel database is therefore imperative, especially considering our involvement in various security operations in our dear country and overseas,’’ he said.

Buratai was represented by Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar.

He identified some of the financial reforms embraced by the Army to include, Single Treasury Account, Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems, and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information Systems, among others.

Earlier, the Acting Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Army, Brig.-Gen. Jehadi Jakko, said the enrollment exercise was aimed at ensuring that only duly certified trained recruits are documented and enrolled into the Nigerian Army database.

Jakko represented by Brig.-Gen. John Ozigi said that it was in compliance with the government directives on the adoption of E-book payment system by all MDAs.

He said that to meet the target, the corps has maintain a robust biometric database for all Army personnel

Jakko stressed that the database would “create an environment for the prudent and transparent application of financial resources toward a professionally responsive Nigerian Army.”

He said it would also help in “planning, budgeting and management and more efficient and timely utilisation of resources,” he said. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gen. Buratai.

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