Ambode gives out land to German firm planning 25,000 jobs

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state on Thursday, September 8, 2016, expressed joy that 25,000 residents of the state would soon get direct employment from a firm to be sited in Lagos.

The governor, who has been particular about attracting foreign investments to the state, approved land for the establishment of a training centre in Lagos where architects, civil engineers and craftsmen would be trained on modern trends and technologies in the construction sector.

Lagos state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a state plaque to leader of delegation, Knauf Group management committee, Isabel Knauf, during the group’s courtesy visit to the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday, September 8, 2016.

Ambode gave the approval when he received a delegation from The Knauf Group, a German firm currently establishing a $75 miilion building and construction tools manufacturing factory in the state.

The governor said the approval for the land became imperative in view of the need to encourage investors to continue to invest in the state.

The firm’s delegation was led by a member of the management committee of the firm, Isabel Knauf, and the Consular-General of German embassy in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert.

While recalling the last time Herbert visited the Lagos House about eleven months ago, the governor said his administration has remained focused to the promise of upholding judicial and security sector reforms, as well as creating a friendly environment for investment to thrive.

He said the massive investment by The Knauf Group in Lagos was a pointer to the fact that investors were still willing to invest in Nigeria despite the economic recession, and that the country would come out of the economic doldrums even stronger.

The governor said: “I must commend the German government and The Knauf Group for showing something important to all Nigerians that beyond the economic recession, their total believe in our economy is unshaken because it is not enough for any investor to come into an area where they have never invested before and months after, the parameters for investment are not really looking good, but you stuck in there and beyond the fact that you have gone to procure land, you also have an established office within the last eleven months and you are already pumping in money into what you want to do.

“This is a great pointer to the fact that you believe in the Lagos economy and also believe in the future of Nigeria and I like to encourage other investors to emulate what your firm and government is doing in Lagos and as they show interest, we will not hesitate to give them the necessary support.”

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); country manager, Kanuf Nigeria, Mr Ihendu O. Ihendu; leader of delegation, Knauf Group management committee, Isabel Knauf and Consul-General of Germany, Mr Ingo

According to Governor Ambode, The Knauf Group specifically deserves to be commended for not just investing in Nigeria, but also bringing the German vocational expertise on an area of construction that was hitherto not in existence in Nigeria into Lagos.

The governor said he was happy the firm  was also creating a training centre for Nigerians in the state, adding that he would stop at nothing to encourage investors such as The Knauf Group.

While speaking, Isabel Knauf said the team was at the Lagos House to brief Governor Ambode on the progress made so far since the project started in September 2015.

She said the firm has 23 training centres all over the world training about 14,000 people annually, and that they would like to build the same training centre in Lagos where architects, civil engineers and craftsmen would be trained on how to technically install their products.

She said upon completion of the factory, the firm would create 25,000 direct employment, adding that the training centre will cost about two million Euros to establish, while at least 800 Nigerians would be trained annually in the first phase.

The state is also witnessing the establishment of a refinery and gas pipeline project by the Dangote Group.

Aliko Dangote recently expressed his strong belief that his gas pipeline project would boost economic growth in the country, ensure uninterrupted power supply in Lagos and allow Nigeria to produce at least half on crude oil locally.

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