To actualize the commitment of encouraging local manufacturers’ participation in producing and developing military industrial complex of Nigeria, the Nigerian Army set up a partnership with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Compay Ltd - the first indigenous car maker in the country, located in Nnewi, Anambra State to design, conceptualize , produce and modify armoured fighting vehicles and other military equipment.
The partnership was officially established on January 2nd 2018 at a meeting between the two sides at the Army Headquarters, Abuja. The representative of Innoson Vehicles’ management was Dr. Innocent Chukwuma OFR - Chairman of the company and the Nigerian Army delegation led by Mr. TY Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff and Lieutenant General.
Mr. TY Buratai had a speech at the meeting and he gave his congratulation to Innoson Vehicles for enormous strides the company has achieved in producing various car brands recently. He also said that the nature of the meeting was to further formalize the partnership between Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company and the Nigerian army.
The Chief expressed his excitement and delight as he recalled the Nigerian Army’s patriotism in an effort to boost local businesses to request Innoson Vehicles to provide three vehicles at the beginning of last year. The vehicles were seen as durable and offered great performances as they were used in combat and showed their convenient, useful and comfortable features in military operations.
Based on that, the Army ordered more than 70 versions of the Innoson cars which were made in the North East for Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
He emphasized that through this partnership, the Army desires to promote the cooperation between the two sides in terms of designing, conceptualizing, producing and modifying military hardware.
The Nigerian Army desires to promote the cooperation between the two sides in terms of designing, conceptualizing, producing and modifying military hardware
The partnership will be implemented on some specific areas including immediate providing 100 vehicles, supply of proper gear, chassis and engine needed for immediate repairs and modifications of armored combating vehicles in the North East Theatre of Operations, determining requirements for the production of armored fighting cars in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian military to actively take part in the effective operation of these joint ventures.
In return, Innocent Chukwuma showed his pleasure that the Nigerian Army highly appreciated his cars and he praised the Chief of Staff for his great patriotic sense. He also made a promise that the company would support the Nigerian Army in finding better means for its troops and resuscitating its Special Vehicle Plant and Workshops.
Chukwuma also gave his gratitude to the Chief for the compliment and claimed that the company would keep improving and developing its capacity in producing vehicles. He further praised the Nigerian Army for the encouragement, showing the important role of the Nigerian Army in development of the nation by citing the fight against insurgency in North East in particular and Nigeria in general.
The partnership will be implemented on some specific areas including immediate providing 100 vehicles
Prominent on this occasion was the handling and inspection of three new cars built by Innoson for testing by the Nigerian Army including IVM G40 Smaller Jeep, IVM Granite Pickup and IVM G80 Bigger Jeep.
It is noteworthy that in 2016, Innoson Vehicles and the Nigerian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and promote joint operations to keep up the maintenance of associated Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) and the Nigeria Air Force Air Armament to let the Air Force constantly implement its constitutional obligations to the Nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment