Akwa Ibom is set to become a car maker state, this is after Ondo State recently launched its hub recently. The state government embarked on an inspection to the site over the weekend to see things for themselves.
It will be recalled that as of June 2015, Governor Udom Emmanuel performed the ground breaking ceremony of the project as effort to reduce to the barest minimum, the unemployment rate in the State. This, he ventured into attracting foreign investors and giving them the necessary cooperation to thrive.
The factory which according to the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mr. Valentino Okorie, is in partnership with an Israeli Company, Merkavin Automobile Technologies Company. The factory which is to commence operations in the next couple of months is expected to run on shifts with over 5000 staff per day.
We performed the groundbreaking ceremony of this Car Manufacturing and Assembling Factory few years ago because we believed that it will play a major role in generating job opportunities and wealth for our people.
I am glad that the last set of equipment for the completion of the factory have just arrived and with this our vision in the transportation industry is gradually being realised.
We are hopeful that with God on our side, this project will soon be ready for commissioning.
Here are some amazing facts about the Akwa Ibom Car Assembly Factory Hub
– The automobile plant is constructed by MIMSHAC/ Merkavim Transportation Technologies at Ikot Ukap, Itam in Itu Local Government Area.
– Factory to produce commercial buses(long and midi buses), waste disposal trucks, fire fighting trucks, private vehicles, etc.
– Managing Director is Valentino Okorie.
– The factory building would be prefab.
– All materials are designed in Israel to be coupled at site.
– Factory to run 2 shifts of 7 hours each everyday.
– To employ over 1000 people at direct and indirect level.
– To have a control room that monitors activities in the commercial buses and stations.
– The vehicles produced are stainless, non-rust for Nigerian environmental terrain and roads.
– Factory has clinic, Administrative blocks and recreation center.
– 20 citizens of the state to be trained in car assembling in Israel and would be batch by batch.
– Factory would be ready before first quarter of 2021.
– The company wishes to start a commercial transportation scheme, an intra city route, inter city routes and interstate routes in the South South and South Eastern part of the country.