The House of Representatives has made a national call for President Bola Tinubu to give his assent to two crucial bills aimed at bolstering the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. The bills, which are the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill and the Armed Forces Trust Fund Bill, were reintroduced and passed by the Assembly to provide vital support for the country’s Armed Forces and Defence.
It is worthy of note that these bills were previously passed by the 9th Assembly but did not receive assent from the former president, Muhammad Buhari.
At the closing ceremony of a 2-day post-inauguration retreat organized for members of the House Committee on Defence by the National Defence College, Abuja, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s attention to the activities of the National Assembly. He expressed confidence that the Nigerian leader would prioritize the assent to these bills, ensuring that they do not suffer the same fate as before.
Assuring Nigerians, Kalu stated that the 10th House is committed to working for the overall welfare of the citizens and emphasized the significant mandate of the government to secure lives and property.
Kalu further pledged that the lawmakers would facilitate the provision of necessary logistics to enhance the effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
Regarding the DICON Bill, Kalu highlighted its potential impact, stating, “With the Bill, there will be a stimulation of local content in manufacturing the tools and equipment needed to keep our nation safe. It is a call on Mr. President to do so urgently.” He also emphasized the conversion of military funding contracts into military-industrial complexes, foreseeing substantial value addition to the country’s defence capabilities through local ingenuity and technological innovation.
The urgency of these bills cannot be overstated, given the need to not only enhance national security but also position Nigeria as a hub for advanced military equipment production in the region. The potential benefits of these bills extend beyond national security, with the creation of a robust military-industrial complex that has the capacity to attract regional demand.
The call from the House of Representatives echoes the collective desire for a more secure and self-reliant Nigeria, where the Armed Forces are adequately equipped to protect the nation’s interests.
