The Nigerian Army has formally gone into partnership with Nigerian indigenous motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company, for modification of some of its equipment, local production of armoured fighting vehicles and other military hardwares.
The partnership deal was stuck today, Tuesday during a meeting between the management of the company let by the Chairman, Doctor Innocent Chukwuma and the leadership of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
At the signing of the partnership deal, the Chief of Army Staff, congratulated the company for giant strides it has recorded in the production of various brands of vehicles lately.
He recalled that the Nigerian Army, in a bid to encourage local entrepreneurs, had asked Innoson Motors to supply three vehicles early last year which were found to be durable and performing very well as they were employed in combat.
He said that the Nigerian Army subsequently acquired over 70 more variants of the Innoson vehicles which were deployed in the North East for Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
The Chief of Army Staff said that the Nigerian Army desires to deepens its cooperation by partnering with Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited to conceptualize, design, modify and produce military hardwares.
The specific areas of partnership between the Nigerian Army and the company include immediate supply 100 vehicles, supply of appropriate gears, engines and chassis required for immediate modifications and repairs of armoured fighting vehicles in the North East Theatre of Operations. Identifying requirements for production of armoured fighting vehicle in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing capacity of Nigerian Army personnel to actively participate on the successful implementation of these joint ventures.
Responding, Doctor Innocent Chukwuma expressed happiness that the Nigerian Army has found his vehicles working perfectly and commended the Chief of Army Staff for his great sense of patriotism.
He promised to assist the Nigerian Army in its quest for better vehicles for its troops and resuscitation of its Special Vehicle Plant and Workshops.
Dr Innocent Chukwuma thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the commendation, maintaining that his company would continue to improve and expand its capacity in vehicle manufacturing.
He further appreciated the Nigerian Army for the patronage, describing the critical role the Nigerian Army is playing in national development through the fight against insurgency in the North East and Nigeria in general.
Highlight of the occasion was inspection and handing over of three of the newly manufactured vehicles by the company for trial by the Nigerian Army. These newly manufactured vehicles are; IVM G80 Bigger Jeep, IVM G40 Smaller Jeep and IVM Granite Pickup. [myad]
