Chinese ambassador visits GAC Lagos auto assembly plant, pledges China’s support

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, says China will be willing to support impressive innovations such as the newly built GAC auto assembly plant in Ogba, Lagos.

A statement by the auto firm on Wednesday said the ambassador spoke during his visit to the facility, noting that the new auto plant was part of the outcomes of the “China-Africa bilateral industrial capacity cooperation pact with Nigeria”.

The ambassador who toured the facility in company with a representative of the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Tunde Mukaila, and others top government and Chinese embassy officials, said he was impressed with the high level of innovation at the plant, a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the Lagos State Government and CIG Motors Company Limited.

The partnership for the auto plant was sealed in Guangzhou, China, in December 2019 and the agreement signed by the CIG Motors Chairman, Chief Diana Chen; Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu, and Chairman of GAC Motors, Mr Zeng Qinghong.

In July 2021, the project was locally approved for execution and construction commenced in October 2021.

The project industrial area covers a total of 35,000 square metres, and the automobile production line spread over an area of 4,800 square metres.

The CIG Motor boss said the auto firm had carefully studied the nation’s automobile market and was determined to play a major role in reviving the industry, through the establishment of a world-class automobile assembly plant.

She said the assembly plant would annually produce a minimum of 5,000 vehicles to meet market demands, and redefine the sector.

Chen stated, “This reaffirms the credibility and commitment of CIG Motors towards the sustainable economic development of the nation.

“Aside from meeting the present needs of modern automobile solutions for the citizenry, GAC Motors has futuristic plans of placing Nigeria amongst key players in the global campaign of eco-friendly production, by veering into production of electric vehicles with dual usage of CNG.”

“This will further contribute to the nation’s strategy to run a non-oil economy in the near future, as well as boost foreign exchange policy. “The current assembly plant is projected to double production within five years, creating thousands of jobs in the process, while serving as a vocational training institute for mechanically inclined young Nigerians who seek to pursue a career in mechatronics.”