Nigeria Content Online

Shocked by the
state of the equipment used by the Nigerian soldiers on peacekeeping
operations in Liberia, the House of Representatives committee on
defence, yesterday, stated its determination to continue with its
investigation into how N23 billion was spent by the ministry of defence
on equipment for the operation.

The renewed plan to
launch the investigation is coming after a tour of the committee to
Liberia. The committee was accompanied on the tour by the Speaker,
Dimeji Bankole.

Consequently, the
defence minister, Adetokunbo Kayode, is billed to appear before the
committee to explain how the money was expended.

A source in the
committee said that during the visit, the lawmakers discovered to their
chagrin that in spite of the huge sum expended on peacekeeping
operations in Liberia since the minister assumed duties, the Nigerian
contingent is the least equipped among the nations that contribute to
the United Nations peacekeeping operations in that West African country.

It reportedly
discovered that the paucity of the equipment was the main reason the
reimbursement from the UN to Nigeria has greatly reduced. The committee
also found out that Nigeria has so far lost about 1000 soldiers, and
spent over $40 billion on peacekeeping operation in Liberia since 1990.

The legislators
were also said to have demanded the total overhauling of the Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United Nations on her
involvement in peacekeeping operations.

Next stop, Sudan

The committee
chairman, Wole Oke, confirmed the visit of the committee to Liberia
during a telephone interview yesterday. He also said Mr. Kayode will
appear before the committee to discuss the issue with its members,
adding that they will visit Dafur, Sudan, soon to check on Nigerian
troops there.

Meanwhile, Mr. Oke
has urged the Liberian House of Representatives to legislate to ensure
permanent peace and unity in the country, even as he promised to convey
the country’s request for further assistance on its 2011 poll to
President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated this when he paid a visit in company of defence committee members to the Speaker of the Liberian parliament.