Charges coy to produce arms to fight insurgency
By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives committee on defence has summoned heads of the nation’s security agencies to explain why they have refused to buy arms and ammunition from the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The summon was issued following the adoption of a motion raised by Hon. Taofeek Ajilesoro (PDP, Osun) at a budget defence session with the corporation.
Those invited include the inspector general of police, chief of naval staff, chief of air staff, comptroller general of Immigration and Customs as well as the commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In his welcome address, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) urged the corporation to produce quality arms and ammunition that could be useful in the fight against insurgency.
He said, “This committee urges you to expand your boundaries by engaging in intensive research and production of military hardware that will not only support the ongoing fight against insurgency and other security challenges in Nigeria but also be available for export.
“This committee is convinced that if DICON effectively leverages on the provisions of Executive Order 5, which recommends that preference should be given to indigenous companies in government procurement, the agency will be self-sufficient and generate adequate revenue to fully fund its activities.
“We are dissatisfied that, so far, only the Nigerian Army patronises DICON. We believe that the DICON management must explore avenues of expanding its scope and drawing larger patronage from more agencies both in the public and private sector. Indeed, there is room for more and better achievements”, he stated.
He disclosed that the committee had made efforts to ensure adequate resources are appropriated to the defence sector based on available resources. “The 2023 budget is, however, unique and important considering that it is the last for this administration. We must therefore work collectively to deliver more on the goals of this administration to drastically reduce cases of insecurity across the country”.
Benson assured that the committee will continue to support this vision through our legislative activities.
“However, we shall also embark on rigorous oversight exercise to ensure that MDAs adhere strictly to the provisions of the appropriation act as eventually passed by the National Assembly and assented to by Mr. President”.
He commended DICON’s role in the production of military hardware since its establishment saying it has significantly impacted on the Nigerian Armed Forces in diverse ways.
“From a humble beginning while in technical partnership with Fritz Werner of Germany, DICON has grown to become a major producer of vital military equipment and a veritable business partner for some major manufacturing industries as well as other relevant government agencies. Your several innovations in military hardware and immense contribution to the health sector in the wake of coronavirus are highly commendable”.
The director general of DICON, Major Gen. Hassan Gimba Tafida in his presentation at the meeting lamented that other security agencies apart from the army have not been buying arms and ammunition manufactured by the corporation as they preferred to patronise foreign companies.
“For now, we have only the army as the major patroniser of DICON products. It is that perception that we cannot produce all the things they need, so they go outside and the law did not restrict them from purchasing equipment from outside the country”.
He appealed for more funds to be allocated to the corporation adding that they intend to bring in additional investors to boost the capacity of the company.
The DG disclosed that some of the machines at the corporation have not been overhauled since the establishment of the company. He explained that if the corporation is able to acquire more machines, it can even be importing its products.
