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."

Via:punch