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 manufacturing and assembling tractors in the north-central geo-political zone.
The Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Lafia, Nasarawa State, one of NASENI’s institutes, will be utilised for the assembling and manufacturing of the tractors.
The executive vice chairman of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu stated that the project aims to create wealth and jobs for Nigerian youths, in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, to ensure food security and promote mechanised farming and agro-business in the country.
Halilu made this known during a visit by the executive governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdulahi Sule and a delegation from Bob Track Tractors to NASENI’s headquarters in Abuja.
Halilu assured Sule and the delegation of NASENI’s readiness to collaborate, expressing willingness to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to kick-start the project in the coming weeks.
He revealed that NASENI had been acknowledged by the President as a national brand, highlighting the National Tractor Recovery Programme where 55,000 tractors would be refurbished for mechanised farming across the country.
The governor echoed his support for NASENI’s vision of promoting made-in-Nigeria goods and emphasised the government’s role in fostering an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
His visit aimed to introduce Bob Track Tractors, specialising in assembling and manufacturing tractors and farm implements with offices in Port Harcourt, to NASENI. This would enable the utilisation of existing facilities at AMEDI, Lafia, for tractor assembling, negating the need to acquire new land for the venture.
In a statement by the agency’s director of information, Segun Ayeoyenikan the CEO of Bob Track Tractors, Mr. Ibifiri Bob Manuel expressed readiness to utilise the Nasarawa State facility to generate employment and wealth for the local youth. He also pledged to leverage the site as a hub to advance the mechanised agricultural vision of the current administration, indicating a willingness to invest in the state with the support of the governor, his team and NASENI.
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