Not too sure if this thread is supposed to be here.

NAMA hails new tyres, tubes factory in Enugu
By Moses Akaigwe [igwemos@sunnewsonline]
Friday, September 4, 2009
•Chief Chukwuma (2nd l), with Ezeobiora, showing a steam boiler to the delegation
Photo:Sun News Publishing
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The multi-billion naira factory being built in Enugu to manufacture tyres and tubes and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, a new auto assembly plant scheduled to start producing a wide range of commercial vehicles in Nnewi, Anambra State, have been described as investments that will contribute towards the realization of the Federal Government’s goal of a vibrant economy in the next II years.


A team of auto experts from the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) which visited General Tyres & Tubes Limited, Enugu, and the new auto plant recently, observed that the plants represent the most remarkable development in the sub-sector in many years, and appealed to government to give incentives to the factories and others like them, to be able to succeed in the country’s harsh industrial environment.

Commending the investments, the Executive Director of NAMA, Mr. Arthur Madueke, who was among the visitors, said it takes a lot of courage, vision and foresight for an entrepreneur to venture into such multi-billion naira projects at a time manufacturers are groaning or going out of business.

He described Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the man behind the two projects, as a visionary industrialist with a lot of ideas, recalling how he used his motorcycle plant in Nnewi (Innoson Nigeria Limited) to bring down the prices of new bikes and made tokunbo (imported second-hand) unattractive in the market.
Madueke, therefore, concluded that a similar impact on the vehicles and tyres/tubes markets is not impossible with the new factories,

“But for Innoson Nigeria, tokunbo motorcycles would still have been dominating the motorcycles market. He did it before with motorcycles. All things being equal, he can still do it with cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycle tyres and tubes. That is why we are calling for incentives and favourable and conssistent policies by government.

The factory which will have the capacity to meet the motorcycle tyre and tube needs of the country when operating optimally, is being build at the Emene industrial area of Enugu. The plant is expected to commence production before the end of this year.
Occupying a space of about 42,000 square metres and expected to cost about N4billion, General Tyres & Tubes Limited, will produce for motorcycles of different brands and models, including modern and high-technology tyres and tubes.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, said about 80 percent of the machinery needed to be installed before the factory begins production had already been brought in while the rest would be arriving soon.
Chukwuma explained that the equipment were yet to be installed because the Chinese technical experts who have the know-how were yet to be granted permit by the relevant authorities to come to Nigeria for the assignment.

“We implore the Federal Government to give General Tyres & Tubes adequate encouragement , not just by installation of production facilities at the factory are granted permits to come to Nigeria, but in many other ways that will create the right condition for manufacturing”, Chukwuma stated.
He said the expatriates were very vital for the take-of of production, hinting that the Chinese are expected to also transfer technological knowledge to Nigerians in the factory.
With Chief Chukwuma while conducting the visitors round the General Tyre and Tube factory site were the Managing Director , Sunday Ezeobiora; the General Manager, Joe Ugwu; and Admin/Legal Adviser, Phylis Unigwe.




http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/motoring/2009/sept/04/motoring-04-09-2009-001.htm


I am not too sure about the Chinese connection.

Great and refreshing news. I only hope they made adequate provision for electricity supply. The fear of NEPA, PHCN or whatever they are called these days is the beginning of business wisdom in Nigeria. IPP first, then others. Kudos to Inno all the same!

Great news new jobs and Naija imports way too much mehn

^^^^ sure

Wonderful News,

ikeyman00:

^^^^ sure

look at dis monkey sittin in uk and prayin naija goes bad, you should be happy. Is enugu not your father state?

It's probably an importation outlet disguised as a 'factory'.

4Play:
It's probably an importation outlet disguised as a 'factory'.

jealousy... Jealous people never make it in like. Check ur life

Damn....it’s not today INNOSON started! In a country where things work properly: adequate power supply; federal support by providing processes and laws that support and encourage entrepreneurship; peace and security....INNOSON would have been a dollar-denominated multi-billionaire by now! 2009 was just a few years after Google and Facebook started, and Tesla wasn’t even on the drawing-board, yet these are trillion dollar coys today...or close to it!

Anyone know if the factory is still in operation? Knowing INNOSONs knack for business, i suspect it is!

PROUDIGBO:
Damn....it’s not today INNOSON started! In a country where things work properly: adequate power supply; federal support by providing processes and laws that support and encourage entrepreneurship; peace and security....INNOSON would have been a dollar-denominated multi-billionaire by now! 2009 was just a few years after Google and Facebook started, and Tesla wasn’t even on the drawing-board, yet these are trillion dollar coys today...or close to it!

Anyone know if the factory is still in operation? Knowing INNOSONs knack for business, i suspect it is!

when you see his plastic factory you will shudder

Innoson is obviously expanding rapidly. By the time, they take over GTB and recover their money the bank stole from them, it will enable them to open more factories in the East and other African countries too.

chiefobdk2:
when you see his plastic factory you will shudder

You mean good shudder or bad shudder?

PROUDIGBO:


You mean good shudder or bad shudder?

it's huge. Actually the biggest in Nigeria

chiefobdk2:
it's huge. Actually the biggest in Nigeria

Oh....ok! The factory in Enugu feeds his automobile plant in Nnewi, as i gathered from one of his interviews. Just wanted to know if the tyre factory is still in operation as well.