Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), is set to collaborate with Nasarawa state government and Bobtrack Tractors, a division of Saint Bob Motors Limited to start the manufacturing and assembling of tractors in the north-central geo-political zone.
The facilities and infrastructure available at one of NASENI’s Institutes, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, Nasarawa state, a statement said, will be used for assembling and manufacturing of the tractors.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, the project which is aimed at creating wealth and jobs for Nigerian youths is in line with government agenda of ensuring food security and promotion of mechanised farming and agro-business in the country.
Halilu spoke when the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule led a delegation to pay a visit to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday the statement signed by Director Information, NASENI, Segun Ayeoyenikan.
He assured Sule and the delegation of NASENI’s readiness to do business with them. “The agency is willing to partner with you and sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) so that in the next couple of weeks we will move into action,” he said.
He disclosed that the President had recognised NASENI as a national brand and its National Tractor Recovery Programme wherein 55,000 tractors would be refurbished for mechanised farming nationwide.
In his remarks, Sule said he aligned with NASENI’s vision of collaborating and promoting made-in-Nigeria goods and also believed that government’s role is to provide a level playing field necessary for businesses to thrive.
The objective of his visit, he said, was to introduce Bob Track Tractors which deals in assembling and manufacturing of tractor and farm implements with offices in Port Harcourt to NASENI.
He stated that this is so that it could utilise the existing facilities at AMEDI, Lafia for assembling of tractors instead of acquiring a new land for the business.
The CEO of Bob Track Tractors, Mr. Ibifiri Bob-Manuel said: “We are ready to take up the facility that you have in Nasarawa State, create employment and wealth for the youths in the area and also use it as a hub to drive mechanised agricultural vision of the present administration. We are willing to invest in Nasarawa state.”
