NASENI to unveil first class transformer production plant September

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) will in September, 2022 carry out the ground-breaking and foundation laying ceremony towards the establishment of a first class transformer production plant in Nigeria.

The transformer production plant, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa, is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive for the Agency to aggressively drive the country’s industrialization efforts for a stable economy.

A visit to Nigeria, followed up with official meeting with the management of NASENI by the Chinese team took place Thursday in Abuja with the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of NASENI, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna on ground to receive the Chinese technical partner at the NASENI corporate headquarters.

A press statement issued by Mr.Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Deputy Director, Information

NASENI, Thursday said the visit was aimed at putting finishing touches in preparation for meeting September 2022 deadline for the commencement of work on the project as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Agency.

The leader of the delegation and Chairman Chinese Liaoning Huaye Group Development Ltd, Anshan, Ma Liming disclosed during the working visit to NASENI that Nigeria and China had a long lasting relationship which led to the signing of the agreement on building of the first transformer manufacturing plant in Nigeria, adding that, the partnership also resulted in the training of Sixty (60) NASENI Engineers on Transformer Production Line and High voltage Testing Laboratory Plant.

The third component of the project is the establishment of a solar cell manufacturing plant in Nigeria aimed at popularizing renewable energy in the country.

In his welcome address, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna who conceived the ideas of the projects went down memory lane on the relationship between NASENI and China which culminated into the establishment of the transformer plant in Nigeria. He said the agreement was first signed in 2013 between the Federal Government and People’s Republic of China, but due to some technicalities, the project could not take off.

He disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had given a fresh directive concerning the three projects which, according to him, must take off next month (September 2022).

He also disclosed that more than 50% of the 15 percent counterpart fund to be paid by the Federal Government on the establishment of transformer plant in Nigeria has been fulfilled and the ground-breaking and foundation laying ceremony of the project will be done by Mr. President in September, 2022.

He said this particular round of visit by the Chinese technical partner to Nigeria was to ensure that all the finishing touches on the commencement of construction work about the projects are done with for effective take-off in September.