The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is set to collaborate with the Nasarawa state government and Bobtrack Tractors, a division of Saint Bob Motors Limited, to commence the manufacturing and assembly of tractors in northern Nigeria.
According to a statement, the resources available at one of NASENI’s Institutes, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia, Nasarawa state, will be used for assembling and manufacturing the tractors.
Speaking during a visit by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule, to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Mr. Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, disclosed that the project, which aims to create wealth and employment opportunities for Nigerian youths, is in line with the government’s agenda of ensuring food security and promoting mechanized farming and agribusiness in the country.
He assured governor Sule that NASENI is ready to work with them, stating, “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 revealed that the President had recognised NASENI as a national brand and its National Tractor Recovery Programme, where 55,000 tractors would be refurbished for mechanized farming nationwide.
In response, Governor Sule, who was accompanied by a delegation, noted that he was fully in support of NASENI’s vision of promoting made-in-Nigeria goods. He stressed that the government has a role to play in providing a level playing field, necessary for businesses to grow.
He explained that the purpose of his visit was to introduce Bob Track Tractors, which specializes in assembling and manufacturing tractors and farm implements with offices in Port Harcourt to NASENI.
According to him, this would enable the use of existing facilities at the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, for tractor assembly instead of having to acquire new land for the business.
Mr. Ibifiri Bob-Manuel, CEO of Bob Track Tractors, 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.”
