Sanwo-Olu commissions vehicle assembly plant in Lagos, first 2,000 cars to hit the market

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned a new vehicle assembly plant which is a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and CIG Motors – a Chinese automobile company.

Governor Sanwo-Olu performed the inauguration ceremony of the fully equipped automobile assembly plant sited along WEMPCO Road in Ogba axis of Lagos, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 2 years after both partners signed agreement for the construction of the factory.

The facility will be jointly-run by the State Government and its partner for the production of different classes of brand-new cars.

Establishment of the Vehicle Assembly Plant in Lagos was part of the bilateral agreements reached by the Sanwo-Olu administration and Chinese Investors’ Community during the Governor’s business trip to China in November 2019.

2,000 cars already assembled

Already, 2,000 units of brand new GAC vehicles had been successfully assembled in Lagos ahead of the formal opening of the facility. The plant was built with production capacity to assemble 5,000 units of new vehicles yearly in the first phase, while generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Sanwo-Olu said the accomplishment reflected the “promising synergy” between international partnerships and local talent, stressing that the development underscored Lagos’ openness to investments that would foster job creation, skill development, wealth creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

• He said: “Today, we applaud a remarkable milestone of assembling 2,000 brand new vehicles right on Lagos soil, as our vibrant city now hosts a thriving hub of automotive excellence. The opening of this Vehicle Assembly Plant is a glowing emblem of our State’s openness to investments that foster job creation, skill development, wealth creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The milestone is not merely a numeric achievement; it’s an epitome of multi-sectoral progress that stands to benefit Lagosians.
• “The ripple effect of this investment extends far beyond the automotive sector. It has ushered in a new dawn of employment, providing our industrious youths with well-deserved jobs, thereby significantly reducing unemployment in Lagos. The skill transfer and technical training programmes initiated by CIG Motors have empowered many unemployed individuals, arming them with the requisite skills to thrive in today’s competitive job market.
• “This initiative is nothing short of visionary. Through increased economic activity, supply chain development and ancillary businesses, wealth is being created and evenly distributed among our people. This synergy will not only provide affordable and quality transportation for Lagosians but also will open up a plethora of entrepreneurial opportunities for many.”

To crash cost of GAC vehicles

Sanwo-Olu said the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) factory, which spans 35,000 square metres, would raise the quality of life and standard of living, as it would crash the cost of brand new GAC vehicles in local markets and also reduce dependence on second-hand vehicles imported from overseas.

He said although the plant was built to assemble cars locally, the efficiency would meet international standards. GAC vehicles, he said, were designed for comfort and easy maintenance, adding: “They are durable, well suited to our roads and climate.”

The Governor pledged his commitment to the growth of the automobile sector through business-friendly regulations, provision of infrastructure and investments in quality technical education to produce world-class workforce.