By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Minister Of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle said on Wednesday that the Nigerian Armed Forces of require 200 million rounds of ammunition annually for its operations.
According to him, it costs the government at least $2 per ammunition.
The minister disclosed this during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Defence, Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) on the establishment of an ammunition production factory in Nigeria.
He assured the president that before the end of his first four years in office, DICON would start exporting arms and ammunition.
Matawalle said, “We have been travelling all over the world, and we see how local manufacturers are developing their countries. Unfortunately, Nigeria, for 60 years, has failed to build the institutions, but that has changed, and it will continue changing, inshallah.
“Therefore, I make a promise to Mr President that as far as MOD, before the expiration of his four years, I assure him that DICON will be exporting its military capabilities. Therefore, all we need from all of you is prayers and your dedication.
“We shall look at it as our baby, not just for me, but for all of us. Of course, if today we are doing even 60 or 70% reductions of our military hardware and ammunition, how much the ministry or the military are spending every year?
“The requirement of just the military is about 200 million rounds of ammunition per annum. Just military. Put together, other paramilitaries, the police, we’re looking at about 350 million rounds of ammunition per annum”.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NASENI Khalil Halilu, said the signing of the MoU is a significant milestone in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities and achieving self-reliance in the production of military hardware.
He said, “NASENI has always been at the forefront of promoting innovation and technological advancement across various sectors in Nigeria, and with our track record of success in research and development and manufacturing, we are well positioned to contribute meaningfully to the establishment of the MIC.
“Our goal is to create a robust ecosystem that does not only support the needs of the armed forces but also fosters the growth of the local industries, thereby reducing our dependence on imports.
In his remarks, the Minister Of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, stated that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant provides a perfect platform for the Military Industrial Complex.
He said the Ajaokuta steel plant sits on about 24,000 hectares of land, while the steel plant, which has 44 production units, sits on 800 hectares and also has more than 10,000 housing units, of which only 3,000 to 4,000 are occupied.
