From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, has said the resuscitation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria ( DICON) will help to transform the security architecture in the country.
Benson, told journalist, in Abuja, decried the current state of the corporation. He expressed optimistism that his bill on the corporation, when assented by the President will provide the needed impetus to the agency to enable it function optimally.
The lawmaker explained that the objective of the bill was for DICON to transit into a Military Industrial Complex (MIC) by making it largely self-funding and giving it the powers “to regulate local and international military businesses thereby saving cost in the procurement of military hardware and providing jobs for Nigerians. ”
According to him, “The key highlights of the bill include expanding its functions to include operation, maintenance and control of ordinance factories for the manufacture, storage and disposal of material intended for or capable of being used by the Armed Forces, other security agencies and such other forces or persons as may be authorized;
“Enlarging the membership of the Governing Board to include all critical stakeholders; increasing the powers and scope of the agency to include policy formulation; empowering the agency to set up subsidiaries in partnership with local and international companies towards meeting the material needs of the armed forces and other security agencies through wholesale ownership or acquiring equities in enterprises with relevant products;
“Authorizing the agency to produce and supply arms and ammunition in Nigeria, in addition to the exclusive right of purchase, manufacture and sale of explosives (subject to the provisions of the Explosives Act); establishment of a Defence Procurement Committee for the Corporation to enhance transparency and accountability;
“Ensuring that the Corporation’s funds consist of statutory budgetary allocation, monies provided by Government for acquisition of relevant defence production capabilities, including missile and aerospace technology, and monies as may accrue from such other source consistent with the objectives and functions of the Corporation. “