Nigerian Army says it is committed to building industrial capacity to undertake indepth research, development and innovation as well as providing befitting accomodation for personnel.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai stated this while commissioning a smart factory, vehicle assembly shop and officers/soldiers accommodation held at the Command Engineering Depot, Kaduna.
Represented by Major General Jamil Sarham, the Army Chief explained that the Nigerian Army has initiated collaboration among the Engineering depot, Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and an Engineering company to produce locally made EZUGWU mine resistant ambush protected vehicle which was launched by the President last year.
He maintained that the vehicles have significantly improved Army’s capability to defeat insurgency.
The Army Chief noted that the greatest challenge facing the Armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies is the outright reliance on importation of defence logistics from allies.
Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai assured that commissioning of the vehicles, assembly shop, plant and Engineering building, and officers and soldiers accommodation would enhance conducive environment for higher productivity.
Earlier in a remark, Commander of the Engineering Depot, Major General Sunday Simon Araoye explained that in line with Federal Government directive on local production of critical mission equipment, the Chief of Army Staff adopted uncommon approach which is local drive fabrication of
indispensable hardware for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
He assured the Army Chief of the depot’s unrelenting efforts to break new grounds in fabrication and production of critical military hardware for the Nigerian Army.
Usman Sani