By Akanimo Sampson
Ibom Automobile Assembly plant is expected to start production by the end of this 2021 after the installation of all its production lines.
The automobile business which is promoted by Mimshack-Merkavim, an Israeli firm, will be rolling out commercial vehicles for use in Nigeria.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the plant took place some two years ago. But, activities were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuation exchange rate which it was gathered affected shipment of machines and equipment.
Managing Director of the company, Valentino Okorie, made the expected production period public while conducting a team from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) round the plant in Itu.
He disclosed that the automobile firm will provide employment for about 1000 Nigerians.
Okorie, who was accompanied by Israeli investors, said 20 employees are to be sent to Israel for training, adding that they would on their return train other employees of the plant.
He said the assembly plant was designed to produce commercial vehicles for Nigerian roads taking into consideration the country’s terrain and environment.
He thanked the state government for supporting the project adding that by evolving to its present stage, there was no doubt the plant would boost commercial activities and fast track the state’s economy.
“We are going to produce vehicles here that will stand the conditions of Nigerian roads. We are building this having in mind the terrain of our environment, it is going to be a vehicle built in Nigeria and also produced for Nigerians .
”We are taking 20 people from Akwa Ibom to Israel for training. When they come back, they will train others and with the support of the technical team very soon, we will come back for commissioning”, he said.
Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, in his remarks said the purpose of the visit “was to allow for federal awareness of the employment potential of the state from the project and to inspect the state government’s strides towards industrialisation.”
“I am happy that the revenue in which I am mobilising is being rolled out here and by the time we start, people would pay their taxes and that would add to the revenue of the government,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Economic Development and Deep Sea Port, Akan Okon, expressed the commitment of the state government towards the timely completion of the project.
He added that as part of its contribution, a dedicated power line was being provided to the factory to ensure steady and regular electricity supply.
He commended the investors for identifying with the industrialisation drive of the state government and urged more investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the enabling environment being created in the state by the present administration.
