by Dolapo Adelana

The rank and file of the Nigerian Army is disgruntled over a decision to establish a multi-billion naira exclusive golf course for officers, Premium Times reports.

It was learnt that Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai while informing the officers in a memo signed by Major General M. Mohammed “directed that all NA officers should exercise part of the ownership of the club by contributing funds for its development/construction”.

The directive was reportedly issued by the Department of Army Standards and Evaluation.

It was gathered that the contribution was apportioned according to their seniority stating that the money could be deducted from their salaries if officers fail to pay up.

It was learnt that officers who have attained the rank of a major general would pay N150,000 per person, while Brigadier generals are to pay N100,000 each.

Colonels were asked to pay N75,000; lieutenant colonels pay N50,000; majors pay N40,000; Captains were ordered to pay N30,000 each while lieutenants and second lieutenants will all pay N20,000 per head.

A personnel who spoke with Premium Times said it was an avenue to extort officers.

“One, we’re fighting Boko Haram, herdsmen and some economic saboteurs across the country right now and they brought this? Why are they always finding different ways to extort officers?” one soldier asked.

Army Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman however said another memo stating that the contribution was voluntary has been passed.

“The directive was an old one, it was erroneously issued after a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff on the matter. “But another one had since been issued clearly stating that the contribution is voluntary.”

It was however gathered that the second memo contained the same instruction.

The officers said while the old directive stated that all commissioned Army personnel must contribute towards the project; the new one said they must contribute but gave them an option to seek a refund.

“So the only difference between the old directive and the new one is that officers were giving the option to fill out the paperwork to formally declare their interest not to partake in the ownership of the golf course and seek a refund of their contribution,” one officer said.