Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, has hinted at the federal government’s plans to establish three industrial parks in Nigeria.
He said around N3.250 billion had been earmarked for the first phase of the parks to be located in Nnewi (Anambra State), Osogbo (Osun State) and Igabi (Kaduna State).
He also said that the center of the NASENI helicopter assembly project and the helicopter manufactured for the first time in Nigeria will be moved to the Aeronautics and Air Vehicles Development Institute (AAVDI) in Kaduna.
Haruna made the revelations when he paid a courtesy call on the commander of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has planned to develop industrial parks for the automotive sectors in three areas of the country: Nnewi (Anambra State), Osogbo (Osun State) and Igabi (Kaduna State).
“Once fully installed and equipped, the fleet will be self-sufficient and a source of revenue for the government.
“In the first phase of the project, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has allocated N3,250,000,000) for the takeoff and we thank the honorable minister for the commitment and interest in the project.
“We are equally grateful to Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Executive Governor of Kaduna State for the allocation of 50 hectares of land and His Excellency’s magnanimity in granting waivers of all legal land title fees.”
Haruna explained in detail the goals behind the industrial parks.
He added: “The initiative of the project is in line with the concept of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Investments that initially proposed to establish the Industrial Park of Automotive Suppliers (ASIP) in these three localities of the country for the technological evolution in the automotive sector.
“This is in line with the NASENI mandate for the provision and development of primary and intermediate capital projects necessary for the design, manufacture and mass production of machines and equipment, in order to provide the enabling environment for the sustainable industrialization of the country.
“The project is being supervised for NASENI by the Kano Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute (HEDI), a NASENI institute for the Agency.
“The project aims to unlock the opportunities in the automotive sector, as well as the potentials in the manufacturing industry in order to create employment, skilled labor in this region and sub-Saharan Africa. It will obtain foreign currency for the country and will stop the importation of spare parts for vehicles.
“The main vehicle manufacturers from different countries have shown interest in operating from this facility. It is also intended to provide the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company with the necessary support in the production of armored vehicles.”
“We also thank the Nigerian Air Force for the collaboration and the provision of adequate surveillance and security at the site since the beginning of the construction works.
“The work in phase one of the project that includes the perimeter fence, the construction of the information and communication building, the construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) workshop, the construction of Automotive Parts, points of sale and services are all above eighty-five percent (85%). “Completion of phase one of the project within the next few weeks will allow for commissioning and start of operation that can run concurrently with development work on phase two of the project.”
AFIT commander AVM Paul Jemitola said the institute was ready to collaborate with NASENI.
He promised to maximize the benefits of cooperation for the betterment of all stakeholders.
He said: “NASENI has been instrumental in many things, including here at AFIT. As such, we will maximize cooperation to the fullest. We will study the MoU and make the most of it. NASENI can count on our 110 percent support and cooperation.”
