Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai has reiterated his commitment to give necessary support to Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for it to fully achieve the dream of its founding fathers.
The governor stated this during a courtesy visit to his office by the Director- General Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-Gen Victor Ezugwu, in Kaduna last week.
The governor said he was delighted to know that DICON was entering into partnership with Sur Corporatewear of Turkey to produce garment for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, stressing that it was equally more heart-warming that the garment factory would be located in Kaduna.
He said, “Precisely three years ago, Kaduna state wanted to revive its textile factory and had even sought the commitment of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior because we targeted the Armed Forces and Police and other agencies as end-users but we cannot explain what happened along the line”.
He, however, said he was glad that something similar will be taken off in Kaduna, stressing that he would be willing to play the role of advocate to reach ministry of interior for the agencies under it to patronise this factory when fully operational.
The governor said: “Let us know whatever support you need in terms of expansion; I know you will not have problem in terms of skilled manpower to work in the factory because Kaduna has a ready pool you can draw from.”
Malam el-Rufai further expressed delight about 1,000 jobs coming to Kaduna for a start, adding that he was also happy to know that the chief executive officer of SUR Corporatewear was conceptualising other investments in Kaduna state.
Earlier, the D-G DICON Maj.-Gen Victor Ezugwu, said SUR Corporatewear was coming to invest about 18 million dollars into the factory which would be completed under one year, adding that by 2021, all military garments would be sourced locally from DICON-SUR Corporatewear factory.
The director-general said besides the partnership with Sur-Corporate wear, DICON was also collaborating with Command Engineering Depot, Rigachikun to produce combat vehicles for the Nigerian Army, adding that about 10 units of armour plated vehicles would be launched soon, all fabricated with 70 per cent local content by ingenuous Nigerians some of whom were brought from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
