Kaduna garment factory with mandate to produce security operatives uniforms expected to create 1,000 jobs

NIGERIA'S federal government has launched a modern garment factory to produce uniforms for the armed forces and other security agencies in the country as part of a renewed drive to promote local industry and revive the textile sector.

Based in Kaduna, the new factory, named as Dicon-Sur Corporate Wears, will not only save foreign exchange and create jobs but will also revive the once vibrant Kaduna textile industry. It will also ensure standardisation and guard against the misuse of military and security uniforms by impostors and criminals across Nigeria.

Ministry of interior spokesman Mohammed Manga, said that President Muhammadu Buhari personally backed the opening of the factory.  He added that according to the president, the security of lives and property of Nigerians and the integrity of the nation’s territory was very important to the present administration.

Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola, who represented the president at the opening of the factory, said it was being launched in recognition of the dire need of Nigeria for a modern garment facility to produce befitting uniforms for the armed forces and other security agencies. He reiterated the administration’s resolve to deal with all forms of crime and criminality in the country.

Mr Aregbesola said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals. The entire armed forces, security agencies and other resources at our disposal will be deployed to keep the people safe and the country secure."

He urged the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (Dicon) to raise its game by being a frontline player in the cutting-edge warfare technology, not just to keep Nigeria safe but to make it a major earner for the country. Mr Aregbesola added that part of the value chain of the industry is the creation of additional 1,000 jobs when the factory becomes fully operational in 2021.

According to Mr Aregbesola, since the basic raw material for the factory was clothing, the project would also invigorate the textile industry in the catchment cotton-growing states like Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina among others. He expressed optimism that the ripple effect would catalyse industrial development and job creation across the area.

This factory is a partnership between Dicon and Sur Corporate Wear of Turkey. Dicon was originally founded to manufacture armaments for the Nigerian armed forces and of late, it has had to up its game in response to the Boko Haram crisis.