By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

To surmount the challenges that confront Nigeria while importing military equipment, the country will now resort to local production with the help of China, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said yesterday in Abuja.

The country always suffers delays importing military equipment due to so many rules and regulations in the international arena.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Tuggar said the Federal Government will work with China in domesticating production of military equipment to avoid the unnecessary delays in relying on foreign countries.

The China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was on an official visit to Nigeria.

Tuggar lamented that private military companies have never helped Nigeria to tackle insecurity.

According to him, “Nigeria has consistently proved effective in leading other countries in our region, and I would even say, on the continent at large, in addressing challenges to peace and security.

“And we do this whenever we partner with other countries and have their support, including major powers that are outside of our region, outside of Africa, and we appreciate that sort of approach.

“And this is why we work well with countries like China. Where we have a problem is whenever Nigeria is left out of such arrangements, it becomes more challenging.

“And it’s not just a one-off thing. It’s not a fluke. It is because of Nigeria’s place and position on the continent and in our region. And that’s why we take a firm stand and say, let us work together towards solving our problems by ourselves.

“Let us shun this idea of allowing others to come in to solve our problems for us.

“So private military companies, as far as we are concerned, it doesn’t matter whether they’re from north, south, east, west; we don’t think it is going to provide the panacea.

“But when you work with us, then we’re able to lead others in solving the problem.

“Also, we want to work with countries like China in domesticating production of military equipment, both kinetic and non-kinetic.

“This is what we’re looking for. So that we don’t have to go out looking to procure because of the delays and so many rules and regulations. We need to be able to produce locally.

“Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the Constitution. And we’ve never had any expansionist tendencies, which is why others reposed so much confidence in us and in our leadership.

“We will continue to work with countries such as China in addressing these challenges and rely on countries such as China, also, to work with us towards ensuring that private military country companies outside interference remains outside.”

Similarly, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang said the strategic plan of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu, China-Nigeria relations have achieved three major outcomes.

“First, we have achieved a new leap in the characterization of our relations. Our presidents jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“Second, we have worked together to establish a new platform.

“The first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Committee between China and Nigeria has been successfully held, contributing to the elevation in quality of our cooperation.

“Third, our cooperation at the international arena has reached new heights. Our two sides have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs and worked together for the collective rise, development and vitalization of the Global South.

“Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, no matter how changes occur in the international landscape, China and Nigeria have always in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, deepened our friendship and pursued practical cooperation, setting a fine example of South-South cooperation, and an important exemplar of China Africa cooperation,” Wang stated.

He said under the guidance of the two presidents, the relationship between the two countries would continue to be strategic, exemplary, and provide momentum and confidence for high quality development of China-Africa cooperation and the modernization of Africa.

“I believe that through the joint efforts of the two sides, the China, Nigeria, comprehensive strategic partnership will surely embrace an even brighter tomorrow,” he said.

He expressed delight over Nigeria’s plan to float panda bond in China through its currency swap policy.

It would be recalled that Nigeria had proposed currency swap agreement with China.

In his words, “As with regard to Nigeria’s wish to increase the line of the currency swap, we’ll favorably study and consider the issue. Our cooperation is going well in many ways, in terms of finance.

“For instance, we welcome the panda bonds to be issued. We welcome Nigeria to issue panda bonds in China, because we have full confidence in Nigeria’s credibility.

“And by issuing panda bonds, Nigeria will gain good revenue and the safety is guaranteed through financial support, we are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development in particular railway.”