The new permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Gabriel Aduda, has promised to expedite action on the review of defence policy as a critical component of national security.

Mr Aduda said this at a familiarisation visit to the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the military would continue to collaborate with all the services to ensure quick review of the policy.

According to him, the defence policy review may be an opportunity for them to begin to see how they can make that available for them in public service rules.

He also promised to work with them to enhance services’ welfare as well as address deficiencies, especially in the areas of housing.

“I am already having meetings in those areas, drawing from international best practices to see how we can have the armed forces better positioned to enjoy stronger welfare provisions. One of such is for us to see very quickly if we also can begin to think in the area of mortgage finance. I mean, just as we have the Federal Mortgage Bank, as you know, there has been a very good positive increase.

“Our civil servants can now take up to N50 million as loans and pay over time. Perhaps, we need to have one for the military and if we have it established and run with that, maybe more of our officers will not only have houses while serving but will have somewhere to retire to,” he said.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by the chief of defence policy and plans, AVM Sayo Olatunde, thanked the permanent secretary for the visit.

The permanent secretary and his directors also visited the three services as part of the familiarisation tour.

(NAN)