Vice President Yemi Osibanjo hinted yesterday that the newly
inaugurated Railway Wagon assembly plant in Kajola, Ogun State, will create
5000 direct and indirect jobs.
He said the plant which is a private investment to be
undertaken by Messers CCECC is central in the production of rolling stock
needed for the railway modernization programme being implemented by the Buhari
administration.
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Osinbajo who spoke during the ground-breaking ceremony for
the local railway and rolling stock assembly and manufacturing plant at Kajola
noted that the ceremony was not just another event, but is a historic turning
point.
The VP stated: “For us, the railway is not only an
alternative and comfortable mode of travel, it holds the master key to
transforming commerce in Nigeria and across the continent. By linking our ports
to rail lines and now, building the rolling stock locally, import and export
business within, into and out of Africa’s largest market will never be the
same.
“When completed, it is expected that the plant would produce
some parts of the wagons for the Lagos – Ibadan and Abuja – Kaduna rail lines,
but also for the central rail lines and to satisfy the needs of other rail
operators within the West- African sub-region.
“Secondly, the citing of the plant here in Nigeria and the
commitment to hiring Nigerians and Nigerian businesses affirms the Presidents
directives in Executive Order 5 on prioritizing Nigerians and Nigerian
businesses in the innovation, production and procurement of Engineering
projects and services.
“The plant would offer an important platform for engineers,
technicians, artisans and other professionals to gain the specialized skills
required for the production and maintenance of rolling stock. This will
invariably conduce to spin-off businesses in the region of operation and across
the country wherever rail networks are in existence. The plant is expected to
generate about 5,000 direct and indirect
jobs.”
On his part, minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi stated that the construction of the
segment two of the Lagos – Kano railway modernization project as, the Lagos –
Ibadan segment with extension to Lagos Ports complex at Apapa which is nearing
completion, holds the key to the development of the economy of the nation from
the commercial city of Lagos to the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria.
He said, “To meet the increasing demand of both passengers
and freight on the new Nigeria Standard Gauge Railway Service, the federal
government awarded contract for the procurement of Rolling Stock that is,
Locomotives, Coaches, Wagons and contemporary Diesel Multiple Units to serve
movement of passengers and freight on the Abuja-Kaduna, Itakpe – Ajaokuta –
Warri train services as well as the ongoing Lagos – Ibadan Railway. It will
also serve any railway service in the West-African sub-region.
“The Ministry of Transportation realizing the need of the
advantage to set up this type of plant considering the potential need in view
of the on-going rail projects in the country and the sub-region encourage
Messrs CCECC to establish this plant.
“It is expected that the plant would generate job
opportunities for Nigerians and as well facilitate the much-desired objective
of the government towards the local content capacity development.
“It was in the pursuit of these objectives that the Federal Ministry of Transportation signed an agreement with Messrs. CCECC Nig. Limited in March, 2018 to establish this plant for the production and assembling of rolling stock, spare parts and maintenance equipment in Nigeria. Consequently, Messrs. CCECC conducted a feasibility study in which the choice of Kajola, Ogun state was arrived at as the suitable location for the project”.
source: Leadership