Stories by Musa Umar Bologi
Abuja
Chairman Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PCSALW), Air Commodore Joseph Adeleke has said that the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has the inherent potential of leading the nation out of the woods in terms of much cherished industrialisation of the nation, judging from the caliber of equipment in the Corporation’s Ordnance Factory.
Adeleke who was on facility tour of DICON’s Ordnance Factory with other members of the team noted with delight that he had visited DICON before but what he saw on ground in his recent visit was worthy of commendation. He added that the current Director General of the Corporation, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Ogunkale who he described as a trail blazer was making the nation proud with the current success stories emanating from the Corporation.
According to him, PCSALW had earmarked DICON to play key role in the committee’s effort to contain the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, especially in the area of marking them for easy control and destruction.
The Chairman said much has been done in terms of disarmament programme across the nation especially at various flashpoints “but there was still much ground to cover and the committee would not rest on its oars till the citizens involved in the illicit arms deal begin to abhor the business.”
He disclosed that the locals at the border in some states that have been identified with illicit arms deal have been given regular sensitisation programme aimed at creating awareness for them to corporate with the committee by reporting those involved in smuggling arms and light weapons into the country.
On destruction of surrendered or confiscated weapons, Adeleke said it had been a very sensitive issue because members of the committee could be easily accused of double standard, stressing that they would always ensure there was adequate media coverage at the collection point and during destruction.
Earlier, DG of DICON commended the committee for the “great invaluable services” it was rendering to the nation, as they traverse the length and breadth of the nation with the attendant risk inherent at the border posts.
Ogunkale said DICON would be ready to partner with the committee in any identified areas that would ease effective service delivery both for the committee and the corporation adding that the nation would be better for it.
He also disclosed that DICON has a functional furnace where those retrieved weapons could be melted, adding that if they are given to the corporation they would no doubt alleviate the problem of sourcing for raw materials for some of the fabrication of products embarked upon through reverse engineering.
