Olaleye Aluko, Abuja

The Federal Government has said that the statutory manufacturer of arms and ammunition in Nigeria, the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, suffers neglect and this has raised the cost of military spending.

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, stated this in Abuja, noting that the poor performance of DICON meant that the defence sector had to rely on external influences for expensive military arms and ammunition.

Dan-Ali noted this in a lecture he delivered to participants at the National Defence College, Course 27. The paper was titled, “Defence Management in Nigeria: Ministry of Defence in Perspective.”

The minister said the recurrent expenditure in military budgets did not give enough room for adequate financing of capital projects, adding that in 2018, for example, the recurrent expenditure was about 73 per cent.

Dan-Ali said, “The challenges of defence management in Africa, particularly in emerging democracies, are varied and complex. Some of the challenges militating against defence management in the Ministry of Defence include absence of military industrial complex, funding deficit, infrastructural decay and obsolete equipment.

“DICON, the main statutory manufacturer of arms and ammunition in Nigeria, has suffered neglect over the years and has been virtually non-operational. Consequently, the defence sector has to rely on external influence to determine the types of equipment to be sold or acquired. This has increased expenditure, reduced the multiplier effects on employment, encouraged technological spin-offs, and underdevelopment of the economy.

“The ongoing efforts by the ministry to turn around DICON will yield positive results. These were clearly captured in the reviewed National Defence Policy 2017 and the 2018 budget.

“One critical problem facing the ministry is inadequate funding. More to this, the amount approved every year, and the actual amount released, usually fall short of expectation. In 2018, the defence allocation was about N576bn of which recurrent expenditure was estimated at N418.69bn.

“This represents 72.69 per cent while capital expenditure was N157.32bn, representing 27.31 per cent of the total defence budget. Thus, it is evident that the defence expenditure did not provide for adequate financing of capital projects and this imposed some limitations on the activities of the Armed Forces.”

Source: https://punchng.com/fg-blames-high-cost-of-weapons-on-dicon-neglect/amp/

Front: Lalasticlala mynd44

Why is it dat all dis govt ever does is complain blame and make excuses?

DICON unproductivity is troubling co siding they been around 1964. They should be making more sophisticated weapons after decades of bring in exist but all they do is design light arms. Recently Nigeria bought a cache of ammunition from Europe. If they got rid of security votes and just channeled it towards military and other security forces it be better. Its more efficient than splitting it 100 ways.

Im thinking DICON role should be re-examined. They private sector can manufacture everything from weapons to equipment. They can do PPP to contract work domestically. Proforce and Innoson already do things like armoured vehicles.

Btw DICON is engaging in ppp with Chinese company to manufacture ammunition in future. They could have just as easily contracted work to domestic industry like I suggested above giving specifications required. Again this small stride is pathetic considering the Organization is 55 years old and supposed to be supplying all the security forces.

● DICON and Poly Technologies Incorporated (PTI) of China and their Nigerian Counterpart, Defence Integrated Resources Limited (DIRL) to establish a new line for the Production of 7.62 x 39 mm special ammunition and also to establish a primer Cap factory to ensure continuous supply of Primer Caps (warheads)

● The primer Cap Factory located in Kachia, one of the visions vigorously pursued by Gen Ogunkale is about 70% completed

Source

There's always someone or something to absorbs the blame...

Blue3k2:
DICON unproductivity is troubling co siding they been around 1964. They should be making more sophisticated weapons after decades of bring in exist but all they do is design light arms. Recently Nigeria bought a cache of ammunition from Europe. If they got rid of security votes and just channeled it towards military and other security forces it be better. Its more efficient than splitting it 100 ways.

Im thinking DICON role should be re-examined. They private sector can manufacture everything from weapons to equipment. They can do PPP to contract work domestically. Proforce and Innoson already do things like armoured vehicles.

It seems like there is nothing the Nigerian public sector can do right.

The whole nigeria know which tribe can design and manufacture arms ....but just like prof ezekwe of biafra no igbo man would open mindedly work for nigeria if Igbos keep being neglected

Some would come here and call me names but deep down we all know the truth if igbos headed the army we wont he importing AK47 that someone can produce in Aba

The failure of DICON is a direct consequence of the lack of growth in the domestic law enforcement apparatuses. Defense industries are supposed to be capable of generating a large chunk of their expenditures from sales of what they produce. Domestic police units are supposed to spend at such industries. Internal markets are large enough to fund Nigeria’s defense industries. 36 States with budgets of over 10b annually for security spending, out of which a large chunk goes to imports of equipment and gear, will go along way.

However because this is a mumu government, with lots of smart and brilliant folks without the political will to disrupt the status quo, nothing go happen. Same old complains.

DICON offered so much promise and in fact at a point had started delivering on some of its mandated. It's peers in other parts of the world doing well. Sad to hear this narrative though it is a familiar narratives that are associated with most institutions and key infrastructure.

This is hoping that the new Hon. Minister of Defence will act on this since the former Minister couldn't walk the talk.

Dicon wey go produce weapons sell half to criminals and the rest to military forces

mrvitalis:
The whole nigeria know which tribe can design and manufacture arms ....but just like prof ezekwe of biafra no igbo man would open mindedly work for nigeria if Igbos keep being neglected

Some would come here and call me names but deep down we all know the truth if igbos headed the army we wont he importing AK47 that someone can produce in Aba

Lol the 1st paragraph your comment doesn't make sense. You already aware innoson makes armoured vehicles for FG. If financial incentives exist arns will be produced. Arms production isnt some exclusive niche. You can read this study about illegal arms production in Nigeria and see its spread out.

I doubt the government would get much done. I bank on private sector to do it. The reason the dont is because laws make it too difficult to do it. The fire arms act needs to be amended. The NIPC Act of 1995 restricts foreigners ability to invest in areas of national security like fire arms.

Firearms Act:

25. The Inspector-General may, with the consent of the Governor of the State, in his discretion grant a permit to any person to carry on the business of manufacture and repair of the firearms referred to in Part III of the Schedule to this Act, and shall maintain a register of such permits in force.

If NASS amends this section we would have private sector manufacturing. The military would be complaining about lack of weapons or importing small arms. Currently I dont know of any legal arms manufacturers in Nigeria. That indicates the lsw is fault.

Instead of needing permission from IGP why not just have another agency apprive it. The governor can be kicked out of equation in federal law. If he wishes to pass state law to restrict production thats their business.

Blue3k2:


Lol the 1st paragraph your comment doesn't make sense. You already aware innoson makes armoured vehicles for FG. If financial incentives exist arns will be produced. Arms production isnt some exclusive niche. You can read this study about illegal arms production in Nigeria and see its spread out.

I doubt the government would get much done. I bank on private sector to do it. The reason the dont is because laws make it too difficult to do it. The fire arms act needs to be amended. The NIPC Act of 1995 restricts foreigners ability to invest in areas of national security like fire arms.



If NASS amends this section we would have private sector manufacturing. The military would be complaining about lack of weapons or importing small arms. Currently I dont know of any legal arms manufacturers in Nigeria. That indicates the lsw is fault.

Instead of needing permission from IGP why not just have another agency apprive it. The governor can be kicked out of equation in federal law. If he wishes to pass state law to restrict production thats their business.

U dont get it right , the chief arm designer was employed by FG what did he do nothing ...

Igbo man love money yes but when we do things for something we believe in we give all

Thinking money can move an igbo man means u dont know igbos

If we need money we make one

mrvitalis:

U dont get it right , the chief arm designer was employed by FG what did he do nothing ...

Igbo man love money yes but when we do things for something we believe in we give all

Thinking money can move an igbo man means u dont know igbos

If we need money we make one

I do get it. They failed like most government agencies do. They either lack funds and commitment. Nobody pays them mind or chastises them for failure after 55 years.

If Igbos are monolith sure you're right. I doubt it if you're out here working for government, producing boots for military and armoured vehicles. Guns are out of question. Lol you're comment is logically consistent since you said yourself if igbos were incharge things would change.

Either way the market will fill void. It doesn't matter who makes weapons. They just have to be quality.

And Usa with functioned NRA, what are they getting in returns? Killings

Dave0116:
There's always someone or something to absorbs the blame...

no focus. no accountability. the act is there, no one understands it since ribadu.

urahara:


It seems like there is nothing the Nigerian public sector can do right.

give full autonomy of police, resources and elections control to the 36 states, then DIC will be under military and fg and its annual budget will thereafter be effectively defended throughout the 36 state assemblies.

mrvitalis:
The whole nigeria know which tribe can design and manufacture arms ....but just like prof ezekwe of biafra no igbo man would open mindedly work for nigeria if Igbos keep being neglected

Some would come here and call me names but deep down we all know the truth if igbos headed the army we wont he importing AK47 that someone can produce in Aba

mrvitalis:
The whole nigeria know which tribe can design and manufacture arms ....but just like prof ezekwe of biafra no igbo man would open mindedly work for nigeria if Igbos keep being neglected

Some would come here and call me names but deep down we all know the truth if igbos headed the army we wont he importing AK47 that someone can produce in Aba

.



you are wrong mrvitalis. We are talking Nigeria here not Biafra. Even during the civil war, Biafrans visited DIC and acknowledged the development. There are many infrastructural and allied military materiels which are doing fine and located in different parts of Nigeria. The best man in Electroplating in Nigeria is an Ibadan man and still very much alive. Two men, one Kaje and the other Kogi that can produce different calibres of ammunition and caps from local and foreign materials are alive. F.G should just advertise for these Experts and employ them as Consulting ad hoc committee to pep DIC up.

Chidexter:
Dicon wey go produce weapons sell half to criminals and the rest to military forces

Misconception. The Act is explicit. We have to revert to civilian Director General.

orisa37:
.



you are wrong mrvitalis. We are talking Nigeria here not Biafra. Even during the civil war, Biafrans visited DIC and acknowledged the development. There are many infrastructural and allied military materiels which are doing fine and located in different parts of Nigeria. The best man in Electroplating in Nigeria is an Ibadan man and still very much alive. Two men, one Kaje and the other Kogi that can produce different calibres of ammunition and caps from local and foreign materials are alive. F.G should just advertise for these Experts and employ them as Consulting ad hoc committee to pep DIC up.

After the biafra war nigeria employed the biafran arm designer prof ezekwe but he did nothing

Arms was never biafra issue but bullets ...no be by mouth bro gun making is small thing for the igbo man

helinues:
And Usa with functioned NRA, what are they getting in returns? Killings

There's no logic behind your comment. Are you against domestic arms manufacturing? The NRA isn't involved with manufacturers. Most crimes in Nigeria done by illegal weapons.

orisa37:



give full autonomy of police, resources and elections control to the 36 states, then DIC will be under military and fg and its annual budget will thereafter be effectively defended throughout the 36 state assemblies.

Lol I doubt that. Look at the areas where states already have control like water provision, security votes and local elections. No state water board covers 1 wholr local government not to talk of entire state. The local governments elections are a farce where you see ruling party doing 100% sweep. The security votes are shrowed in secrecy and used ineffectively.

Resource control to states is stupid. It's better we have it go towards individual ownership with government at various tiers adding regulations. The tax to GDP for alot of states is less than 1 percent.

Im not against devolution of powers because of efficiency. The centralized bureaucracy doesn't work well. If the state assemblies did their jobs maybe system woukd work better.