General Electric said it will start assembling locomotives in Nigeria by next year.


If that happens, it could save Nigeria some huge foreign exchange usually used in acquiring locomotives from Brazil. It will help rejuvenate Nigeria’s dying competencies in the railway sector and in growing the sector faster.


Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Mr. Seyi Sijuwade revealed at the weekend that the agreement the Federal Government signed with General Electric should come into force in 2013.

Mr. Sijuwade stated these to our correspondent during the NRC’s first senior management staff retreat and award night in Lagos.

President Goodluck Jonathan had said in his Democracy Day, May 29, address that government had signed an agreement with GE to assemble locomotives in Nigeria.

Jonathan said the project would enhance the sustainability of the rail sector and make Nigeria a major hub in West and Central Africa.

GE will be utilising NRCs existing workshops for the assembly plants.

Mr. Sijuwade said: “GE will have to use NRC workshops because the rail lines are connected to our workshops. If you assemble elsewhere, you will have a challenge transporting the locos to the tracks. Also, our workshops will be improved by GE to modern workshops.

“Why the assembly wouldn’t start just yet is that GE is also looking for investors and partners because they wouldn’t want to take all the risks alone.

He said: “By next year, am sure, GE should have commenced work on the assembly facilities. But first, they also want to conduct independent track integrity on the new tracks we are building so that they would be confident the locomotives they are assembling will be put to use.

“Nigeria’s commitment to GE is that, if they commence assembling the locomotives, we will buy at least 200 over the next 10 years. We need to make that commitment for GE to be assured of return on investment. It is a launch order.

“But, the fact that we are making that launch order of 200 locos in the next 10 years isn’t a guarantee for any kind of price to be given us, we will still get the best deal for the offer,” he added.

http://dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/business/183019-general-electric-to-begin-assembling-locomotives-in-nigeria

Yes that is what am talking about, it is time to strategise in this kind of things such as:
*Regional ship building company
*jet manufacturing
*Satelite manufacturing

i know we will get there one day

making sense

Good news, but let's not rejoice yet, let's wait for the cooling off period. Isn't that how they claimed that the South Korean Company was supposedly building a shipyard in Nigeria, only for the story to change less than 72hrs later.

This is goodnews.

People should stop this 5th to comment thingy. Seriously!

Talk is cheap

People should stop this fifth to comment thingy. Seriously!

seunfly: Yes that is what am talking about, it is time be strategise in this kind of things such as:
*Regional ship building company
*jet manufacturing
*Satelite manufacturing
i know we will get there one day

Good move but hope our steel industry would be fully functional by then........

I can wait to see several road transport companies off the business!There has to be balance when it comes to mass transit/transportation.Funny enough if this works(which I really think it will),this will be a big one for GEJ.

cooooooooollllllllllll

Nice idea.

nep2ra: People should stop this 5th to comment thingy. Seriously!

Join them. Its no big deal.

yanni.:
General Electric said it will start assembling locomotives in Nigeria by next year.


If that happens, it could save Nigeria some huge foreign exchange usually used in acquiring locomotives from Brazil.

Really? didnt know locomotives were heavily imported goods in nigeria!!! "usually" hunh? all the ones that have been usually imported are located where and used to do what?

yanni.:

“Why the assembly wouldn’t start just yet is that GE is also looking for investors and partners because they wouldn’t want to take all the risks alone.

No Shit!!!! ok so we are already applauding, may soon throw E-Party on NL...... but they are still looking for investors............. issokay

as for the risks.... well, i thought the article started out by implying that the demand for locomotives is high? all that foriegn exchange they will be saving........ BTW is GE going to be paid in naira?
or is boko haram the risk?



Jokers. they don't even make any effort to package their useless propaganda anymore!! sign of the times

ok na till then.

“Why the assembly wouldn’t start just yet is that GE is also looking for investors and partners because they wouldn’t want to take all the risks alone.

And we are already full of jubilation?

no wonder GE changed their statement on corruption in Nigerian Judiciary. money!!!

Naija and dreams. Make we siddon dey look sha. Shay na next year them talk?

Siemens said the same thing to Yar'adua

I have a dream lol

udifrancis: Nice idea.

Exactly, it is still a potential project. The Railway Official is hoping General Electric will come. I seriously doubt it.

Everything is a promise of what is to come, never what has been accomplished. Government WILL do this, this company will do that, people get awards for a promise that no foundation stone has been layed. By next year GE will come and give us the real story behind the story.

I wuld have ben happy if d report had read, 'GE starts locomotive assembly in Nigeria'

in 2011

https://www.nairaland.com/801208/general-electric-establish-locomotive-factory

BEST NEWS OF THE MONTH.
THATS THE WAY TO GO.
OUR LEADERS ARE USELESS OTHERWISE NIGERIA IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INDUSTRIAL HUB BY NOW.
TELL ME WHY TOYOTAS ETC WONT BE FORCED TO SET UP PLANTS IN NIGERIA...

I NEED TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY, I HAVE THE VISION TO TURN THIS COUNTRY AROUND WITHIN 4 YEARS. WE DON'T NEED OIL AND GAS TO BE GREAT, WE NEED A GOOD LEADER WITH VISION. NIGERIA WAS A MUCH BETTER AND PROSPEROUS COUNTRY BEFORE THE ADVENT OF OIL

It is not like a 15yr project,which is usually just talk.
It is next year,and with assurances from FG,i believe its real.
Everybody wants to enjoy the monopoly that dangote enjoyed.

I hope the contract follows due process!! So that it doesn't go the of Manitoba power contract!!

Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Mr. Seyi Sijuwade revealed at the weekend that the agreement the Federal Government signed with General Electric should come into force in 2013.

IF YOU BELIEVE THIS, YOU CAN BELIEVE ANYTHING!!!!

Dis Guy: in 2011

https://www.nairaland.com/801208/general-electric-establish-locomotive-factory

U bad gan oooo.
Will wait till then.

Lol! Hope its for real this time and corruption will not eat this thing up

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