Our truck assembly plant can produce 10,000 CNG vehicles annually – Aliko Dangote

By Femi Akinola

Earlier this week, a fully knocked down CKD truck assembly plant owned and operated by Dangote Sinotruck West Africa opened in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State. Leadership of the Nigerian Senate unveiled the multi-billion naira project.

While addressing his guests at the commissioning of the assembly plant, Aliko Dangote, who conducted the leadership of the nation’s Upper Chamber and the executive management of the company around the premises of the facility, noted that the decision to invest in the truck plant was part of his strategy to add value and reduce imports.

Dangote added that the plant would fabricate diverse types of trailers and tipper bodies with the goal of achieving domestic self sufficiency and serving the West Africa regional market.

In his welcome address before the commissioning, Dangote said: ”We are playing a strategic and key role in developing the heavy truck assembling and manufacturing in Nigeria.

”We are providing employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as improving the local automobile industry. We will continue to invest in the plant and achieve technological advancement for Nigeria. We will continue to promote Nigeria’s economy development.”

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the first order of 100 compactor trucks from the plant.

While speaking at the launch, the governor announced his administration’s plan for the acquisition of an extra 100 compactor trucks from the new truck assembly to enhance waste management service delivery within metropolitan Lagos.

Explaining why his administration decided to order for 100 compactor truck from the new plant, Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos State acquired 102 compactor trucks for its Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) in 2022 adding that the fleet needed to be replenished.

He said his government have confidence in the product of Dangote Sinotruck because they were of world standard, crafted with precision to meet customer satisfaction.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended Aliko Dangote for his foresights, stressing that he is Africa’s export to the world.

He reiterated the Senate’s happiness with the facility assuring the investors of government’s support in their drive to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in key sectors.

Akpabio called on other investors to emulate Dangote by establishing businesses in the country so as to provide jobs in the country.

He equally challenged other states across the country to emulate Lagos State by providing business friendly environment for investors.

Meanwhile, Dangote Sinotruck West Africa Limited, is a joint venture company with a total investment of $100 million. It boasts cutting-edge facilities and machinery, enabling it to achieve a production capacity of 15 -16 trucks per shift, or approximately 10,000 trucks annually.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the assembly plant, Hikmat Thapa, explained that the facility would be scaled up to 13,000 trucks annually with the commissioning of the CKD plant.

He affirmed that the majority of the fabrication and assembly lines were handled by trained Nigerians.

Thapa noted that the vision of the plant was to assemble and produce a full range of commercial vehicles tailored to the specific needs of the market from heavy-duty trucks to medium trucks, light trucks and semi-trailers.