President Jonathan wants $1 billion loan to help fight Boko Haram

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday sought approval from parliament to borrow up to $1 billion abroad to help the armed forces tackle the security threat posed by the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram.

Jonathan, facing intense criticism at home and overseas for his government’s failure to curb a spreading campaign of violence by the Islamist militants, made the request in a letter read to Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives.

His government is accused by critics of not doing enough to protect civilians in Africa’s biggest economy and oil producer from Boko Haram, which has killed thousands and abducted hundreds since launching an uprising in the northeast in 2009.

“You are no doubt cognisant of the on-going and serious security challenges which the nation is facing as typified by the Boko-Haram terrorist threat,” Jonathan said in the request, read to deputies by the leaders of the Senate and House.

“For this reason, I seek the concurrence of the National Assembly for external borrowing of not more than $1 billion (0.58 billion pounds),” the president said, adding this would be used to upgrade the equipment, training and logistics of the security forces.

Nigeria’s parliament was expected to debate the borrowing request at a time when international attention on the Boko Haram insurgency has increased since the abduction by its militants in mid-April of more than 200 schoolgirls. They remain missing.

Jonathan’s letter said the upgrade for the security services could include a “government to government arrangement” but did not name any specific foreign country.

EuroNews

The Coordinator, National Information Centre, NIC, Mr. Mike Omeri, yesterday, provided more explanations on the proposed $1 billion foreign loan by the Federal Government, saying it was not only meant to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

Omeri, who made the clarification during a routine security briefing in Abuja, added that the money would also be used to strengthen the Armed Forces' capacity.

He said: "The loan is not to fight Boko Haram alone. It was based on the Armed Forces' request to update their equipment."

Omeri said the Armed Forces needed to "restock" and upgrade the existing equipment to withstand future territorial and internal challenges.

He said: "We understand they need to restock and the whole request is not for government to go and collect cash from anybody.

"It is a long term arrangement for which most countries of the world are known. It happened in the United States.

"The long term means the Federal Government will use it for the purpose it is meant for and not just Boko Haram.