NGO makes case for families of fallen heroes at National Assembly

A civil society organization (CSO), Accountable Leadership for Better Nigeria Initiative (ALBNI) has urged the National Assembly to investigate and resolve the delay in the settlement of claims of soldiers who died in service.

The call was contained in a petition signed by the Executive Director of ALBNI, Mr Remi Adebayo, and addressed to the Committees on Defence and Army in both chambers of the National Assembly. The petition was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

In the petition dated May 31, 2021, ALBNI urged the committees of the parliament to organise a public hearing to reveal and address factors responsible for the delay.

The group said that the parliament should interface with the Federal Ministries of Defence and Finance to eliminate bottlenecks hampering prompt disbursements of the entitlement to the late soldiers’ next of kins.

The group said it seeks “an investigation by the National Assembly to find out why the Federal Ministry of Finance has delayed the payment of premium for Group Life Insurance of the Armed Forces and thereby delaying the prompt settlement of insurance claims of officers and men who died in service.

“An interface with the Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of Finance to eliminate bottlenecks hampering seamless and prompt in disbursements of insurance claims and all benefits due to beneficiaries and next of kins of fallen men and officers of the Armed Forces

“A public hearing by the National Assembly to address issues causing a delay in the processing and disbursement of life insurance claims and other benefits due to members of the armed forces with a view to enthroning best practices in the management of the Armed Forces Pensions.”

The group commended the parliament for doing a good job towards finding a sustainable solution to the security challenges in the country.

It recognised the gallantry and sacrifices made on daily basis by the men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces as Nigeria contends insurgency, banditry, kidnapping threatening the fabric of the society.

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