COAS urges IPPIS implementation without disrupting counter insurgency
The Chief of Army Staff, LT. Gen. Yususf Buratai on Tuesday charged the Central Bank ,federal ministry of finance to implement the federal government Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System’ (IPPIS),in the Nigerian Army without disrupting the ongoing counter insurgency in North Eastern.
Gen. Buratai stated this at a seminar organized for personnel selected to implement the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System’ (IPPIS),in the army next year.
The chief of Army Staff expressed Nigerian Army readiness to adopt IPPIS in compliance with the directive of the federal government who had also introduced series of public financial management reforms such as Treasury Single Account (TSA), Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) among others reforms to curb waste.
He said, however, “no doubt, the implementation of IPIS in the Nigerian Army will present new challenges for the management of troops’ salaries and allowances”. He charged the Finance Corps to ensure that “the nuances of the transition are well understood and the implementation seamless in order to continue to sustain the morale of the fighting troops.”
“This is especially important towards the current ongoing efforts at consolidating on the gains of counter insurgency operations in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.”
According to Buratai, “Operation Rescue Finale which is aimed at total eradication of the insurgents from our territory and rescuing all persons still held hostage is gaining the much needed momentum in line with operational plans.”
IPPIS scheme took effect in the country in 2007 and had enrolled about 400,000 public servants. It had proved to be effective in curbing corruption and waste in the management of public resources.
While other reforms such as Treasury Single Account (TSA), Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS)and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) had also taken root and are improving public accountability the armed forces have been left out of IPPIS.
