*The Plant will employ between 200-500 people
* Firm to produce one million filters daily
*AKSG takes delivery of seven container-loads oil filter equipment
MIMSHAC Automobile Plant in Akwa Ibom State at the commencement of production will employ about 500 people, its Managing Director, Valentino Okorie said.
Promoted by Mimshac/Merkavim Technologies, an Israeli automobile firm, the automobile plant is located at Ikot Ukap Itam in Itu Local Government Area, few kilometres to Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital.
When fully operational, the plant being constructed by MIMSHAC Digital Limited is expected create employment and business opportunities for Akwa Ibom people to boost the state economy, Straightnews gathered.
The Managing Director of MIMSHAC Digital Limited, Mr. Okorie, told Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob when he visited the plant to take delivery of the state government’s seven container-loads oil filter equipment for the company.
“With this filter arriving now, you will see us take out between 200 and 500 people out of the streets from February and this filter factory would be the first automated oil filter in sub-Saharan Africa,” Okorie said.
He said on completion, the factory would produce commercial buses, waste disposal trucks, fire fighting trucks and private vehicles.
Conducting the commissioner’s team round the facility, the managing director described the automobile plant as the first in Niger Delta and a full package of Israeli technology which will produce stainless, non-rust automobiles suitable for Nigerian environmental terrain and roads.
Mr. Okorie commended the State Governor Udom Emmanuel for engaging investors that match words with action which has resulted in the construction of the automobile plant.
He stated that the oil filter section of the factory, would manufacture filters for all types of vehicles including trucks and generators.
According to him, “Right now, we are even starting with manufacturing oil filters for cars, jeeps and Keke. The next batch of equipment expected in the next two months, would produce oil filters for truck and generators, and we are not really assembling, we are manufacturing.”
Okorie assured that the company will install and calibrate machines for the oil filter production within three weeks even as experts from Israel would be on hand to train the workers on the various components of the production lines.
He noted that the production capacity of the factory stands at one million filters per day as Nigerians consume five million filters daily.
Mr. Emem Bob said the company was one of the value chains to the actual production of Semi Knocked Down (SKD) and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicles from the plant.
Bob, who stated this after inspecting the automated machines for the production of oil filters in the company, noted that it is the present administration’s dream to see vehicles assembled in MIMSHAC Digital Limited ply Nigerian roads.
The Commissioner whose Ministry supervises the project lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel for the support given to the company right from when he laid the foundation for the Automobile Plant Factory, and for his relentless efforts in attracting more industries to the state.
He informed company’s management of Governor’s desire to visit the plant the factory for inspection soon.
“The automobile company is on course, I have discussed with the management and they have given a commitment that between March and April, this year, the cars would be available in the market for purchased. Akwa Ibom State Government would commission the vehicles and test run them,” Mr. Bob assured.
While acknowledging some hindrances to the commencement of full operations at the company, the Commissioner said the management has confirmed that those challenges have been addressed.
He said the procedures for the recruitment of Akwa Ibom indigenes into the company, for overseas training have been concluded, and expressed the hope that as a result of the gesture some youths would be taken off the streets.
The commissioner reassured that the next administration would continue with the project given its benefits to Akwa Ibom people, emphasizing that the ruling party in the state had carefully selected a governorship candidate who is also an industrialist.
Commending MIMSHAC Digital Limited for working hard to achieve success, especially in the employment of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the company, Mr. Bob canvassed votes for the PDP governorship candidate.
