Enugu’s N5bn vehicle plant’ll create jobs – Keystone Bank MD

The Managing Director, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr Philip Ikeazor has said that the N5 billion ultra-modern automobile manufacturing assembling vehicles’ plant in Enugu, when fully operational, would create thousands of jobs – especially for the youths in the country.

He disclosed this during the unveiling of the stone laying ceremony of the Eastern Vehicles Assembling Limited (EVAL) plant in Egede in Udi local government Area of Enugu state last weekend.

Executive Director, Keystone Bank, Mr. Hafiz Bakare, who represented Ikeazor, said the lender in partnership with EVAL would provide employment for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths.

“This is a project we believe will create job opportunities for our teeming youths both directly and indirectly through expected increase in productivity of the feeder steel industry across the country. We know how much this government places emphasis on job creation and gainful employment.

“A total of 30 per cent of the input is coming from local sources and 100per cent of the body of the EVAL range of vehicles is made of steel. This not only facilitates industrialization through growth of the local steel industry but more importantly helps to reduce the demand pressure on foreign exchange thereby ultimately contributing to enhancing the value of the Naira when the project becomes fully operational. This is why Keystone Bank decided to key in and contribute its own quota to national development and economic emancipation at this crucial period in the country’s socio-economic life”.

The EVAL is financed by Keystone Bank under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) real sector support fund in partnership with Hawtai Motors, China.

Speaking at the occasion, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the major reasons the Federal Government banned importation of vehicles through land borders was to encourage Nigerians to patronize locally assembled vehicles, create jobs and move the nation’s economy forward.

Buhari, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Legal and Electoral Matters, Barrister Juliet Ibekaku, also promised to put in place an enabling environment to encourage and protect locally assembled vehicles.

The President said, “I commend the commitment of Eastern Vehicle Assembly Limited to key into the economic development agenda of this administration by building a vehicle manufacturing assembling plant in Nigeria.  The Federal Government is solidly behind this project and will do everything to support you.  We assure you that we will create an enabling environment to protect your investment.”

In his speech, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said the establishment of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited in the state is part of plans by both Federal and Enugu state governments to drive investments into the country.

Ugwuanyi,  who was represented by his Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Sam Ogbu, said the plant was yet another step to encourage both local and foreign investment in the state.

He commended the Managing Director of EVAL, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu for the courage and will to boost industrial base and provide employment for the people of the state.

Also, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, represented by his deputy, Sir Udeh Oko Chukwu, said his government would ensure the sustainability of EVAL vehicles by using it as its official cars in the State.

Earlier in his speech, the Managing Director of Eastern Vehicle Assembling Limited, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu said the coming of EVAL was in response to the clarion call of the federal government and south- east states to open up investments and woo foreign investors for the industrialization of the country.

He said EVAL products are 21th century products with 100 per cent steel.