Nigeria Now Producing Armoured Vehicles (

As interest in armoured luxury cars rises
among the upper class, some Nigerian auto
firms have intensified research work on the
armouring technology.
Already, an indigenous automobile
manufacturer, Proforce Limited, has
commenced the production of Armoured
Personnel Carriers.
Proforce said it had sealed a pact with
Defence Industries Corporation and some
para-military organisations for the
production.
The Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah,
is currently facing criticism for allegedly
forcing the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
to buy two armoured cars for her.
Wealthy Nigerians and top public office
holders import a number of armoured
vehicles.
The Managing Director, Proforce, Mr. Ade
Ogundeyin, said in a statement obtained on
Friday that his firm was currently working
with the Defence Industries on the APCs,
just as he stressed it was equipped to
armour other categories of vehicles.
He criticised the idea of importing
armoured vehicles, saying it did not make
economic sense for Nigerians to continue
to import what was available locally.
“There is no need for government or
anybody to import bulletproof or armoured
vehicles. It is a waste of resources.
“Why import at very high cost when there is
capacity to produce better vehicles at
comparatively lower prices locally? This is
an issue I hope the new auto policy will
address.”
Ogundeyin said the armouring materials
were resistant to AK-47 gunshots and
assaults with improvised explosive devices,
stressing that the vehicles would run on
special flat tyres that could endure several
kilometres of journey even when deflated.
The Proforce boss also expressed support
for the recently developed auto plan,
describing it as one of the best policies of
the President Goodluck Jonathan
administration.
He said if fully implemented, the document
was capable of boosting industrial activities
in the sector and contributing towards the
achievement of government’s targets for
the economy by 2020.
He aligned with the thrusts of the new auto
policy, which were to encourage
investment, enhance technological
development and revive production
activities in the industry.
Ogundeyin said, “This is a laudable plan
which is capable of transforming the local
industry. The impact will be felt in many
ways, including the establishment of many
small- and medium-scale support
industries, job creation and increase in
capacity utilisation.
“But a lot will depend on whether
government has the will to fully implement
the policy, especially the area that concerns
their agencies or departments buying
locally made vehicles. Another critical area
that requires firm action on the side of
government is the one that introduces
stiffer tariff structure for fully built
imported vehicles.”
http://www.punchng.com/business/
nigeria-now-producing-armoured-vehicles/

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