The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, says repositioning the Armed Forces of Nigeria is key to tackling contemporary security challenges
The Defence Minister who stated this during the commissioning of the Ashok Leyland Troops Carrying Vehicles in Abuja, the nation’s capital said this is yet among many initiatives of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.
“It is well known that the country has been facing myriads of daunting security challenges, some of which include insurgency, militancy, kidnapping as well as cattle rustling and armed banditry in several parts of the country. However, these security challenges have been confronted with a lot of zeal and professionalism through the transformational reforms of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
According to him, the transformation process has been anchored on 3 pillars of capacity building, restructuring/ reorganization and troops’ welfare.
“Nonetheless, it is worthy of note that the process of transforming the Armed Forces of Nigeria over the years has not been easy given the numerous multi-dimensional security and economic challenges facing the country.
“The current administration has security as a priority in its agenda, hence the need to equip the Armed Forces with all necessary platforms to ensure peace and security in the country. Very importantly, this administration is cognizant of the significance of troops and logistics mobility for effective operational efficiency”, he said.
The Defence Minister said the project was initiated by the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2014 for Messrs Stallion Motors Ltd to supply 50 buses and 700 troop-carrying vehicles to the Armed Forces.
“Notably, the company delivered the 50 buses in February 2015 while the 700 troops-carrying vehicles were retained due to some administrative errors in the contract.
“Consequently, the Ministry constituted a team led by the Permanent Secretary to interphase with the company and resolve all pending issues as well as facilitate the delivery of the vehicles.”
He stressed that the outcome of deliberations highlights the in-depth cooperation between the Ministry and the private sector.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, it is imperative for them to think inward and provide local preventive and protective mechanisms to fortify critical assets, formations, borders, and all various camps across the country, with the sole mandate to ensure that insurgency is contained to its barest minimum.
“The engagement of an indigenous company, Messrs Stallion Motors Limited by the Ministry of Defence, was hinged on the Minister’s conviction to uphold President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to promote the utilization of the indigenous technology as enshrined in the Executive Order 5 signed by the President on 2nd February, 2018”.
“Specifically, the thrust of the E05 is the recognition of the vital role of science, technology and innovation in national economic development, particularly in the area of promoting Made in Nigeria Goods and Services (“MNGS”).
“The procurement of the made in Nigeria Ashok ley land troops carrying vehicles is one of such efforts made by this administration to encourage local companies in their various efforts to manufacture Equipment needed to fight insurgency and for other purposes.”
