The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, says
Nigeria has the potential to become the world’s defence systems solution hub
given its capacity to produce high-grade security merchandise locally.
Idris said this on Friday during
a tour of ProForce Armour and Ammunitions Production Facility, a defence
systems and gadgets provider in Ode-Remo, Ogun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the facility produces armoured personnel carriers, ammunitions,
ballistic helmets, bullet-proof vests, armoured cash-in-transit and personal
protection vehicles.
The IGP, who was impressed
with the level of expertise at the facility, said the nation’s desire for rapid
development could only materialise through adequate support to local
manufacturers.
According to him, Nigeria could save a lot of foreign exchange
with the purchase of merchandise locally to equip the nation’s security outfits
in their fight against crime.
“To be honest with you, I have seen first-hand what Nigerians can
offer with the right support. Here, you can see local content development in
practice.
“I think it’s a great achievement for us as a country when we
start venturing into presumed impossible feats and turning them into
possibilities.
“Technologically, Nigerians have the know-how and capacity to
compete with the best when it comes to manufacturing.
“It’s an advantage to us when we see avenues such as these we can
exploit to bridge the gap of development and unemployment.
“For the police, we will continue to support such ventures by
exploring local content opportunities of improving the force’s ability to
address security issues and create employment,” Idris said.
Similarly, the Ogun Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr
Bimbo Ashiru, said it was important for government to always create an
environment for local manufacturing to thrive.
He added that the best way of spreading wealth and reducing social
strife was by creating jobs through local content development.
Ashiru, however, urged manufacturers to focus more on backward
integration through raw materials in-sourcing to improve the production
value-chain by empowering local suppliers.
“What has happened in Ode-Remo has put this place on the map in
terms of capacity and wealth creation.
“However, for every import that we do, we are exporting jobs.
“ Therefore, in-sourcing for raw materials will further improve
the competitive edge of the industry.
“By focusing on empowering more of the local suppliers,
manufacturers can maximise returns for the economy turnaround that we envisage.
“We are a country endowed with wealth of mineral resources and as
government we always encourage that Nigerians patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.
“The only way we can improve our value-chain and strengthen the
economy is by looking inwards for economic solutions through research,
innovation and enterprise,” Ashiru said.
In his response, ProForce Managing Director, Mr Adetokunbo
Ogundeyin, thanked the IGP for the visit, saying the company would continue to
restrategise to remain competitive and meet local demand.
“The technology we have here is adaptable in that we produce to
suit the peculiarity of the Nigerian terrain. That has always been our cutting
edge.
“In the case of raw materials, we have done a lot of backward
technology and developed a steel-rolling mill in Ota, Ogun, where we produce
steel from scrap metal.
“There is also a joint venture agreement in place with another
glass manufacturer to start producing our own glass locally.
“By the time we produce our
steel and glass then we have achieved up to about 70 to 80 percent of our
technology,” Ogundeyin said.
ProForce was established in 2008 and prides itself as the only
private armoured vehicle manufacturer in Nigeria specialising in armoured
vehicles and personal protection.
As a total defence solution provider, the company focuses on the
delivery of confidence in protective mobility.
Hi. I’m Sana ur Rehman Designer of This Blog. I’m CEO/Founder of Pak Zest. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.
0 comments:
Post a Comment