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Proforce (Defence) Limited, Nigeria’s leading total defence solution provider specialising in the manufacture of armoured vehicles, body armoured and other defence mobility products, said it has acquired a steel plant in the Sango area of Ogun State for the production of its steel just as arrangement had been concluded to start producing its own glass through a joint venture arrangement with a glass-producing factory.
The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, who made the disclosure Thursday at the Proforce assembly plant in Ode Remo, Ogun State, said the acquisition of the steel plant as well as the plan to start producing glass were aimed at achieving about 70 to 80 per cent local content required for the company’s production.
The Proforce boss spoke while conducting the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, who was visiting the plant, round the facility. He maintained that Proforce had since demonstrated its capability to produce world-class Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security and defence equipment despite the initial doubts from foreign manufacturers.
Ogundeyin said: “They told us we cannot do it because we are Nigerians, but the assistance from government made us to stand out and those that we used to chase now chase us.
“We had 25 expatriates at inception, but now reduced to three. They did not want to transfer the technology, never allow Nigerians to do intricate jobs. But we had to get the technology forcefully,” adding “We will soon be producing our glass through a joint venture with another glass company. By the time we produce our steel and glass, we will have achieved about 70 to 80 per cent technology.”
While appealing for patronage from the Police Force, Ogundeyin disclosed that Proforce now assembles for export, saying the company had exported armoured vehicles to Rwanda, South Sudan and Central African Republic (CAR) for the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Source: NAN
