Chinese Firms to Build N4b Transformer Producing Plant in Nigeria

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in collaboration with the China Great Wall are planning to erect a transformer producing plant in Nigeria, this would cost N4 billion.The Federal Government and Chinese Great Wall Corporation through the agency had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2013 to establish a local transformer manufacturing plant in Okene, Kogi State.The Chinese Great Wall Corporation spokesperson, Ao Pei Yong, speaking in Abuja, who led officials of the Chinese Great Wall Corporation, China Railway Corporation, Huaye Group and Bank of China on a facility tour of NASENI headquarters, said the Nigeria project, when completed, will be the second largest transformer producing plant in Africa.According to Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the Chief Information Officer, the joint Nigeria-Chinese project on transformer manufacturing plant is valued at $170 million, equivalent to N4billion.Ao Pei Yong explained that the purpose of their visit was to secure the cooperation of government regulations and policies on all related issues.He added that the overview of the MoU, was to ensure that the transformer-manufacturing project covers electric power and distribution, power transformer as well as high voltage testing laboratory.“We guarantee to establish everything on transformer and transformer-making machines in this collaboration and promise that we will work together to achieve everything as specified in the MoU.”“Once this project is completed, Nigeria will have the capacity to achieve a Nigeria brand of transformer, not only for self-sufficiency, but the country can export it to other parts of Africa and the project should be completed no later than three years,” he added.