Obaseki pledges support as Diverse Autocare unveils plan to manufacture first electric car in Edo

Diverse Autocare Centre has unfolded fresh plans to expand its facility to become the first automobile workshop to manufacture an electric car in Edo state.

This is just as the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has promised that his government will continue to support the firm and other private investors by creating an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

Chairman of Diverse Autocare Centre, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, disclosed the company’s expansion plan at the official commissioning of the Centre as part of events to mark his 71^st birthday celebration at the weekend in Benin City, Edo State.

Ogbeifun, who doubles as the Chairman of Starzs Investments Company Limited said the automobile workshop would also key into the campaign of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) for the transition to cheaper and cleaner means of fueling vehicles using auto gas.

He said, “We are open to partnering with NADDC in this and other projects of the Council which are dear to the Nigerian government. Particularly, my vision for Diverse Autocare Centre Limited is to work with the council in pioneering the conversion of conventional vehicles from fossil fuel to electric vehicles and ultimately manufacturing the first made in Edo State car.”

Ogbeifun commended the State governor for his giant strides in the creation of jobs and employment as well as creating an enabling environment for investors through the establishment of the Edo Production centre, a hub with needed infrastructure to assist small and medium scale businesses.

“We want to thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement for entrepreneurs of which Diverse Autocare Centre is a beneficiary.

“We are particularly grateful for the recent land allocation to us measuring about 3,000 square metres across the road from this Centre. This new facility which we are leasing on a long term, will enable us to expand our business as the present location has become too small.

“The facility will be focused more on repair and maintenance of diesel engine driven automobiles,” he said.

Ogbeifun said within one year of operation, the company has complemented the government’s effort at addressing the high rate of unemployment in the country by creating job opportunities for over 50 persons currently in its employ.

He added, “Just within our first year of operation, we have carried out various repairs ranging from preventive maintenance services, engine overhaul and general repairs to body/spray works on a variety of vehicle brands including Toyota, Mercedes, Ford, KIA, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Lincoln, etc.”

Ogbeifun also appreciated the Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, who, after sending his team to visit the Centre and several engagements gave Diverse Autocare provisional appointment as a 2S service provider (service and spares).

He said the company looks forward to consummating the remaining process to enable Toyota approve its status as a 3S service provider (service, spares and sales).

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Edo State Mr. Andrew Emwanta, who represented the governor, congratulated Diverse Autocare for the milestone achieved within one year of its operation.

He expressed confidence that the Centre, which he described as a significant development for the state and the entire South-south region would someday metamorphose into an automobile assembly plant.

Also speaking, representative of the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Director, Industrial Infrastructure Department, Dr. Nua Omisanya, applauded Diverse Auto care for the quality of the facility.

He said the federal government’s objective to grow the automotive industry to become the hub for automotive manufacturing in Africa can only be sustained through the support of private sector initiatives such as Diverse Autocare.

“The private sector has to play a pivotal role, even as the government provides the enabling environment. The commissioning of this world-class auto centre is therefore a step in the right direction.

“Over the years, the Council has worked tirelessly to ensure the survival, growth of the Nigerian automotive industry with a view to enhancing the industry’s contributions to the national economy,” he said.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, expressed confidence that the facility, which is the first of its kind in the state, would develop the automobile industry and create jobs.

“I believe something like this has not been done in Edo State before and we are also looking to expand and do the best we can for the country. Like you said, employment is very low and hearing of the initiative I brought my team together and we came here and did the necessary evaluation.

“I have been here with my team to look at the facility. I must say I was quite impressed with what I saw because I wasn’t expecting to see such a beautiful, well-organised facility, the first of its kind in Edo State.

“I am happy that within the space of one year you are looking to expand. We are happy to start with you from scratch on that, so that we can guide and show you how to put the thing in place and even do something much better than what you have here.

“This I believe is just the beginning; by the time you are commissioning the new one, I am sure we will all be amazed. We will give you all the necessary support to ensure it is successful to add to the employment opportunity to the state,” he said.

Facilities in the Centre include diagnostic machines, post lifts, AC services and recharge equipment, paint oven, paint mix bank installed by Miswa United Kingdom, state-of-the-art automated alignment machine, collision jig, professional multipurpose tool box sets and assorted diagnostic equipment.

In the area of human capacity building and development, Diverse Autocare Centre has forged partnerships with various higher institutions of learning to provide slots for their Mechanical Engineering, Electrical /Electronic Engineering and Information Technology students for industrial placements.

The internship programme equips undergraduate students with the tools and hands-on experience required to become competent technicians in their various areas of automobile related skills development.