Nigerian State to Get an Electric Car Plant

To reaffirm its commitment to attract external investors, the Cross-River State government has partnered with Sirieco —a Slovakian firm, to build an electric car assembling plant and lamp manufacturing plant in the state.

Cross River state government will provide free land at the Slovakians firm choice of location. It will also offer 3 years tax exemption and provide all-important utility support services and free a Wi-Fi. The state government also promised to purchase at least 10,000 lamps per annum once the plant is up and running.

The governor of Cross River State, Mr. Ben Ayade disclosed the plans on the 30th of April 2019, while taking a team of the foreign company on an inspection tour.

The governor asked the Sirieco choose a location at the states mega industrial layout, ‘Ayade Industrial park’. About 42 plots of land are ready for investors that are willing to create jobs for 50 indigenes from its investment outlay.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sirieco Company Limited, Mr Groidis Peter said, they are ready to partner with the state. He announced after the tour with the governor that is willing to build a working relationship with the state. He strongly affirmed that the relationship will birth a hub that is second to none in Africa.

There have been mixed feelings regarding this development, considering that the Nigerian lawmakers kicked against a proposed bill suggesting the adoption of electric cars in the country. Although countries like Germany, Norway, and France are already using eco-friendly fuels to power vehicles, Nigeria is faced with the question of affordability. However, this project, if executed will attract other foreign investors.