The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali on Thursday received a certificate from the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), to establish a military and paramilitary clothing and accessories factory in Kaduna.
Speaking at the occasion, Dan-Ali said that the Federal Government was determined to establish a functional military complex that could locally manufacture military hardware and kits.
The certificate, Full Business Case (FBC) Compliance Certificate was presented to him by the Director-General of ICRC, Mr Chidi Izuwah.
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The factor, he said, is to be established under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Sur Corporate-wear of the Republic of Turkey.
The minister lamented that Nigeria, over the years replied on foreign countries to get weapons and other needs for its armed forces.
“Over the years, it is regrettable that Nigeria has relied heavily on importation of not only military hardware and ammunitions but also clothing and accessories.
Decades of existence of DICON have not significantly achieved the desire to change the nation’s fortune in this regard,’’ Dan-Ali said.
The proposed factor, he said once completed, was expected to sufficiently meet the accoutrement needs of the armed forces of Nigeria and paramilitary organisations in the country.
He noted that it would also revive the textile sector and help in creating direct and indirect job opportunities, and conserve foreign exchange. (NAN)