Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (retd.), the minister of defence, in Abuja said the initiative of the government was to reposition DICON with a view to enhancing its production capabilities and start a Public-Private Partnership based on a “Build, Operate and Transfer” PPP model.
The minister noted that the Turkish firm would be responsible for developing a Made-in-Nigeria brand of textile materials and accessories needed for the military clothing.
Magashi said the government would inject $13 million to finance the enterprise.
“As the supervising ministry of DICON, the ministry will guarantee patronage by the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The partnership, among others, will help to revitalise Nigeria’s textile industry through the development of cotton farms and state of the art cotton milling plants across the country.
“It will also provide direct employment for not less than 1000 employees without counting the numerous labour that will be employed in the value chain,” the minister said.