It is now official. Enugu state is home to a tractor assembly plant. What that means is that, combined with the one being floated by the federal government, Nigeria is getting close to the time when the challenge of major machinery for modern farming will be a thing of the past. That was the source of the joy of people of the state when the government of Enugu State, Tuesday, launched the construction of Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre, an investment by ODK Group of Denmark, in Enugu.
Gov Peter Mbah, who flagged off the scheme, said the gesture was a step towards moving the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.
The governor said, “What we have gathered is not a mere symbolic act; it is certainly an act that takes us closer to the dream of having at least 1,000 tractors in Enugu State by next year.
“We have always said that Enugu is going to be that premier destination for investors to come. That will not happen just by wishing for it. What we see here today is going the extra mile of making it attractive for investors to invest here. We have placed an order for at least 1,000 tractors, which we hope to at least have through this assembly plant.
“It would have been easier for us to place an order for 1,000 tractors. But we did not see the value in that, which is why we are only getting 200 tractors already assembled and imported here. But the remaining 800 will be assembled right here in Enugu State.
“Again, initiatives like what we are doing with Nortra, not only creates opportunities, but will also stimulate our economy. It boosts that economic growth that we are expecting and creates employment for our people.”
The governor promised to identify genuine investors “who want to partner with the state in the onerous journey to a $30bn economy”.
He added, “We are going to continue to support Nortra to ensure that we provide the basic amenities, the right infrastructure, and also security for your investment to thrive.”
The Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, said Enugu was ODK Group’s first investment destination in Africa, adding that the group’s specialisation and reputation for manufacturing innovative and high-quality agricultural equipment and machinery would scale-up agricultural production in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, said the venture was a huge leap for agriculture in the state.
The CEO of ODK Group Denmark, Mr Morten Anderson, and the Managing Director of Nortra Tractors, Mr Philip Njoku, said that Enugu was chosen as the first entry point into Africa because they “identified Enugu State as a state that is thriving powerfully in terms of innovation, commercialisation and everything you can think of in terms of development.”
