From left: DIDA CHAIRMAN Mr. Paul Nmah, DG DIDA Chief Lucky Oghene- Omoru, Dep. Managing Director SAKL Mr. Prakash Gidwam during the site inspection of the Bajaj Assembly Plant at Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA., Delta State
By Sylvester Iloba
ASABA/Nigeria: The Chairman Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) Mr. Paul Nmah had said that the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) had delivered on its mandate to attract more investors to the State to make the State an investment hub.
Mr. Nmah made this statement at the site inspection of the Bajaj Auto Keke Tricycle Plant by Stallion Auto Keke Ltd at Okpanam in Oshimili North LGA, of Delta State.
According to Mr. Nmah the Delta State Government had ensured that the basic indicators that would ensure that investments thrive had been put in place.
In his words “you will recall that DIDA had embarked on massive marketing of the State’s investments opportunities and we placed emphasis on the enabling environment that had been created by the Government of His Excellency Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa which enhanced the various investments incentives that are available for investors.
“The coming into Delta State of the Stallion Auto Keke ltd to set up the Bajaj Auto Keke Tricycle Plant has shown that our efforts at attracting investments into the State is yielding dividend,” Nmah said.
He noted that he is quite satisfied with the level of work done at the Project Site and is hopeful that the Plant will be completed soon for operations to commence.
The Director General DIDA, Chief Lucky Oghene Omoru on his part said that Delta State Government had met their obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd and DTSG.
He noted that he is quite satisfied with the level of work already done and expressed happiness that the effort of DIDA in attracting the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd had eventually paid off.
“Stallion is a well-known brand with foot prints in automobile industry, steel, food and agribusiness etc. in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria.
“Consequently, our attracting the Group to Delta State will make the Stallion Group to make many more investments like in automobile, steel and agribusiness in Delta State.” Chief Oghene-Omoru said.
The DG DIDA stated further that His Excellency’s policy for job creation had been factored into the DTSG-Stallion Group Auto Tricycle Project.
“His Excellency’s policies for empowerment of Deltans and job creation have been factored into the DTSG –Stallion Group Auto Tricycle Project which involves the provision of 15% of the cost of 2,000 Stallion Auto Keke as subsidy by DTSG to Delta State Auto Keke Union to enable their members to buy the Stallion Tricycles at a cheaper price than non-members can buy.
“Also the DTSG will equip/provide 250 Delta State Mechanics with necessary skills and equipment/starter parks to service the Auto Kekes to be produced by Stallion Group,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Managing Director Stallion Auto Keke Ltd, Mr. Prakash Gidwani said that they are in Delta State to establish a Keke Manufacturing Plant that would produce Keke that would be supplied to the whole of Delta State and beyond.
According to him the Plant would be a totally independent plant that would engage in the manufacture of tricycles popularly known as keke.
Mr. Gidwani said that they are quite happy with the support they are getting from the Delta State Government through the office of the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA).
He stated further that the investment climate in Delta State was quite conducive, adding that since they commenced the project, they have not experienced any hindrance and that work was moving smoothly.
The Project Site Engineer, Mr. Michael Okolo on his part said that they are working within the given specification and that the standard is of a high quality.
He said they are very optimistic that the Plant will be completed in good time and according to specification.
Also present during the visit were the Service Head SAKL, Mr. Govardhan Pai, SIA DIDA Mr. Peter Okolie, DPRS DIDA Mr. Felix Nwamumu, PA to the Chairman DIDA, Mr. Louis Ebegbune and PRO DIDA Mr. Sylvester Iloba
