–By Sylvester Iloba:
The Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) in line with its mandate of attracting investments to the State had finalized the process for operations to commence at the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd Plant in Delta State.
The duo of the Chairman DIDA Mr. Paul Nmah and the Director General, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omorugave this revelation at a joint project inspection between managements of DIDA and Stallion Auto Keke Ltd at the Bajaj Auto Keke Assembly Plant on Asaba/Benin Express way, Delta State.
The DIDA Chairman and DG represented by Mr. Peter Okolie the Senior Investment Analyst DIDA/Special Project Director said that the main essence of the visit was to perfect the plant handover before a formal opening ceremony would be done.
“Well technically what we are doing here today is to perfect the handing over process and thereafter there may be a ceremonial aspect of the handover to it.
“You know that before we do the ceremonial hand over a few things would be tidied up, the factory machines etc. would be put in place, after that there would be a ceremonial handover. But right now we are giving them access to the factory to begin to do their own work.’ He stated.
According to him the agreement between the DTSG and the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd was for the State Government to provide a shade and conduciveenvironment for their business to takeoff.
Mr. Okolie emphasized that Delta State Government had met their own side of the MoU adding that they had equally provided 10 hectares of land to the investors at the Delta Rest Park to start off their permanent factory in due time in Delta State.
Speaking on the benefits of the investment to the State, Mr. Okolie said that it is going to enhance the State’s business activities.
“As an assembly plant where over 100 tricycles would be assembled daily, it would create employment because it is the youths who would be engaged in the assembly process on a daily basis
“Also it would have a huge multiplier effect, for example the transporters would benefit due to large human and commodity traffic, food vendors will sell and many individuals would become marketers and distributors. So there are lots of opportunities that would accrue.
“Even the State Government would generate IGR in the form of levies and taxes that would be paid. Mr. Okolie stated.
He commended the host community for their cooperation noting that the relationship had been very cordial.
Mr. Okolie thanked His Excellency Sen. Dr. IfeanyiOkowa for supporting investments in the State, stating that with the robust economic policies put in place, he is finishing strong.
Speaking earlier Mr. Sam Singh Banga, the General Manager Projects, Stallion Auto Keke Ltd said that their company had put everything in place in order to commence operations of their Bajaj Keke SKD Tricycle Plant in Delta State soonest.
Mr. Sam Singh noted that the investment climate in Delta State was conducive and Government had been quite supportive.
Speaking on their investment in Delta State, he said that it would be in phases.
“We are going to develop our Plant in phases. The first phase would be the Plant for the assembling of tricycles and we would then later expand our business. Mr. Sam Sighn said.
According to him the Tricycle Plant would create employment and also there would be the transfer of skills and expertise as people would be gradually trained on the repair and maintenance of the KekeBajaj.
Mr. Sam Singh commended the Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the support he gave to them to invest in Delta State.
Also present at the visit were Mr. Felix NwamumuDPRS DIDA, Mr. Pai Govdhan, Factory Manager Stallion Auto Keke Ltd, Mr. Edward OparaugoManager Civil Engr. Dept., Mr. Alfred Oforbuike, Assistant Manager Mech. Engr. Dept., Mr. SaheedAhmed Electrical Dept.
