The Delta Government on Thursday says it was partnering Stallion Auto Keke Limited (Stallion Bajaj) to establish a tricycle assembly plant in Delta.
Chief Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), disclosed this during the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the State Government, Stallion Bajaj and the landowner, Dr Festus Okubor, on Thursday in Asaba.
Ukah, was represented by the Permanent Secretary, SSG Office, Mr Sam Dietake.
According to Ukah, the MoU is between the Delta Government and Dr Festus Okubor for the transfer of ownership of some hectares of land to Stallion Bajaj through the Delta Government for the manufacturing of tricycles in the state.
On his part, Chairman, Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Paul Nmah, lauded the project, saying it was the fruit of the state government’s effort to attract investors through the agency.
“The signing of the MoU today is just a ceremonial one because the company had demonstrated capacity and interest towards the project and we are ready to go.
“They have demonstrated the brands of the tricycles to be assembled and they were unveiled it in Asaba about two months ago and all the stakeholders in the state were happy about it.
“Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa is happy about this project because it will boost the economy of the state and create lots of employment for our people, keke being a major means of transportation in the country.
On his part, Mr Manish Rohtagi, Managing Director, Stallion Bajaj, reassured that the company would commence operation in Delta latest by February, 2022.
Rohtagi said that their target is the South East markets, adding that the business of tricycle is thriving well in the region.
“After about two years of discussion with DIDA on the need to establish a plant in Delta, we then realised the economic benefits of establishing the plant here.
“One of the benefits is that tricycle market thrives in the Igbo land. All the markets in the South East states provide about 40 per cent market for our tricycle.
“As we promised, the plant will be up and running within eight weeks from today, and what we are going to produce here will be much cheaper and we are going to add local manpower.
Also, Okubor, said the land area covering about four hectares is located in a strategic and choice area of Okpanam, within the State Capital Territory, near the Asaba Airport, and a few kilometers to Onitsha International Market.
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Okubor told journalists that the land the company is going to be sited belong to his family, which informed why he came to sign the agreement to allow them the use of the land for the first 10 years.
For his part, the Director General, DIDA, Chief Lucky Oghene-Omoru, thanked the governor, the SSG, Chairman of DIDA, the legal team and the media for their support in realising the projects.
Phenomenal reports that Chief Patrick Ukah signed for the State Government while Mr Manish Rohtagi, Managing Director, Stallion Bajaj, signed for the company and Dr Festus Okubor, the Landlord, signed for his family.
Also, Chief Lucky Oghene-Omoru, Director General, DIDA and DIDA Chairman, Paul Nmah, also signed their columns in the MoU as drafted by the legal team of the State Ministry of Justice.
