President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, commissioned the first Wagon Assembly Plant in West Africa at Kajola in Ogun State.
He said, the Assembly plant has capacity to assemble 500 open roof and container wagons per annum
Represented by the minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo, he noted that the assembly plant can meet the export demand for wagons in the west west African market.
The president disclosed that the project was commissioned on November 8, 2019 by vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, adding that the project formed part of an effort to develop capacity to produce rolling stocks and provide job opportunities for Nigerians.
According to him, the plant was constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as one of it’s social corporate responsibility while the ongoing construction of University of Railways in Daura is another project embarked upon as part of corporate social responsibility.
He averred that the federal government only provided the enabling environment for the establishment of the plant through tax waivers, utility and sidings.
The permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Magdalene Ajani, in her remarks, said the plant has capacity to provide over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs adding that it represents a significant milestone in the development of the rail sector.
The managing director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Engr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed that, in the near future, the assembly plant will be handed over to Nigerians.
He stated further that it will also be developed to manufacture rolling stocks and wagons in the near future.
