By Mohammed Mohammed
In a bid to ensure standardization and guard against the misuse of military and security uniforms by impostors and criminals in Nigeria, the Federal Government
through DICON and SUR CORPORATE Wear of Turkey, has launched a modern garment factory for the armed forces and other security agencies in the country.
Performing the ground breaking ceremony of the garment factory tagged, DICON-SUR Corporate Wears Nigeria Limited at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) at Kakuri, Kaduna weekend, President Muhammadu Buhari said the security of lives and properties of Nigerians and the integrity of the nation’s territory were very important to the present administration.
Mr. Mohammed Manga, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Interior Ministry, in a statement, quoted Buhari, as saying that the event is a clear demonstration of the determination of his government to encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) through foreign direct investment into the Nigerian economy.
The President who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said the garment factory was being launched in recognition of the dire need of Nigeria for a modern garment factory to produce befitting uniforms for the armed forces and other security agencies.
He reiterated the administration’s resolve to deal with all forms of crime and criminality in the country saying: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals.
“The entire armed forces, security agencies and other resources at our disposal will be deployed to keep the people safe and the country secure.” The President said.
Buhari charged the military and all security agencies to speed up the on-going counter insurgency operation in the country to guarantee the security of all citizens, while urging DICON to raise its game by being a frontline player in the cutting-edge warfare technology, not just to keep Nigeria safe but to make it a major earner for the country.
Stating further that part of the value chain of the industry is the creation of additional 1,000 jobs when the factory is fully operational in 2021.
The President opined that since the basic raw material for the factory is cloth, the project will also invigorate the textile industry in the catchment cotton-growing states like Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe and Katsina States among others.
He expressed optimism that the ripple effect will catalyse industrial development and job creation in the area.
Buhari said that the factory being launched was a partnership between DICON and SUR CORPORATE WEAR of Turkey.