Afrigather The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has introduced new restrictions on the importation of sure calibers of arms and ammunition, aligning with the not too long ago signed Defence Industries Company of Nigeria (DICON) Act of 2023.
The Act, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu in November 2023, goals to strengthen Nigeria’s navy industrial advanced by selling native manufacturing.
Ibrahim Kana, Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed these restrictions throughout a press briefing in Abuja.
He emphasised that every one authorities ministries, departments, and companies (MDAs) should now search clearance from the Ministry of Defence earlier than procuring arms and ammunition.
This measure is designed to make sure that objects produced domestically are prioritized over overseas imports.
Along with this, the ministry has barred the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) from issuing no-objection certificates to MDAs for the procurement of arms and ammunition that may be sourced inside Nigeria.
Kana highlighted the significance of the brand new DICON Act, which fosters partnerships between DICON and indigenous firms, thus making certain that the Nigerian navy and different safety companies procure from native producers first.
“If you’re procuring arms and ammunition utilizing authorities funds, you haven’t any proper to obtain overseas until it’s not produced in Nigeria,” Kana said.
He famous that the ministry is growing a system to implement this requirement, which mandates that any procurement of arms and ammunition by MDAs have to be cleared by the Ministry of Defence.
The President additionally directed the Nationwide Company for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to collaborate with the Ministry of Defence on the native manufacturing of small ammunition, with plans to utterly section out the importation of seven.62mm caliber ammunition inside the subsequent two years.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, expressed optimism concerning the new DICON Act’s potential to considerably contribute to nationwide growth and safety.
He famous that the Act might improve overseas change earnings, create jobs for expert Nigerians, and scale back capital flight by boosting native manufacturing of protection tools.
Celebrating DICON’s sixtieth anniversary, Matawalle mirrored on the company’s contributions since its institution in 1964.
He praised DICON’s evolution from a modest producer of small arms and ammunition to a key participant in Nigeria’s protection sector, now concerned in manufacturing navy automobiles, artillery, and different superior protection tools.
Aniedi Edet, Director Normal of DICON, additional elaborated on the company’s expanded function.
He revealed that DICON is now producing a variety of navy {hardware}, together with unmanned automobiles, drones, and high-caliber ammunition.
Edet affirmed that DICON’s mandate is to supply all tools utilized by the nation’s armed forces, underscoring the company’s dedication to attaining self-sufficiency in navy manufacturing.
As DICON marks its sixtieth 12 months, the Ministry of Defence and DICON’s management reaffirm their dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s protection capabilities by way of innovation and native manufacturing.
