Business Day (Nigeria)

Kwara partners Simba TVS to train 100 artisans, technician­s

- SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin

Governor Abdulrahma­n Abdulrazaq of Kwara State says his administra­tion is committed to making the right investment in human capital, infrastruc­ture developmen­t and security architectu­re with a view to encouragin­g socio-economic growth and the safety of investors.

He spoke in Ilorin while declaring open a 2-day technology transfer for 100 technician­s (motorcycle mechanics), organised by the state government in conjunctio­n with the Simba Group, the manufactur­er of TVS XL100 motorcycle.

“Today is yet another important moment for us as an administra­tion. This is because this technology transfer training perfectly fits into our agenda of empowering our people with liveable skills which will help to earn decent living as well as lift many others from poverty. It will also expand the economic base of the state. I’m certain that beneficiar­ies of this technology transfer will also teach others and spread the frontiers of collective prosperity in our communitie­s.

“I encourage the Simba Group to invest more in Kwara State. Kwara people are peace-loving, accommodat­ing, and mostly industriou­s. I assure you that your investment will be a win-win bargain. On our part, we will continue to make the right investment­s in human capital and infrastruc­tural developmen­t as well as security architectu­re to make Kwara State investors’ haven”, the governor said this through the commission­er for enterprise, Arinola Lawal, who represente­d him at the event.

The governor commended his senior special assistant on community interventi­on, Kayode Oyin-zubair for facilitati­ng workable collaborat­ion with the Simba Group, describing the efforts as laudable.

Oyin-zubair, in his remarks, said the essence of the technology transfer session was to expose the local technician­s to the mechanism of the XL 100 Heavy Duty, as part of the government’s mission to drive developmen­t through innovation­s.

He said the state’s partnershi­p with Simba Company was not afresh, recalling the fruits of their synergy on community transport system and agricultur­e (irrigation) three months ago.

Speaking further, the governor’s aide said the government has facilitate­d smooth mega service programs for the SIMBA TVS in 2020 with the release of the Metropolit­an Square, which he added, involved a free engine service for about 500 TVS tricycles on each occasion, as manufactur­ed by the company

“We have a relationsh­ip with this company that has eight sub-divisions; we have been relating with them on community transport systems and lately agricultur­e. The company (SIMBA Agricultur­e) about three months ago introduced its drip irrigation system to us in the state”, he said.

“We started in 2020 to have a mega worship and service centre for the company in Kwara State to service the whole of the North Central zone, the move suffered a setback. We are however unrelentin­g in our effort to get it establishe­d here. We are equally working out a package that will benefit members of the Tricycle Owners Associatio­n of Nigeria (TOAN) in the state. We have reached an advanced stage on that as well. Let me remind the management of SIMBA TVS that Kwara is a business friendly environmen­t and we shall continue to provide incentives that will make your operations seamless in Kwara State. As we continue with our partnershi­p with SIMBA TVS, the interest of our people will be at the center of our engagement.”

Ajit Ajana, representi­ng Simba Group, appreciate­d the government for collaborat­ing through the special adviser on community interventi­on, and vouched that the trainees would have course to thank their sponsor at the end of the programme.

He added that no less than 100 technician­s would be equipped with basic mechanical skills.

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