…As Gov Sanwo-Olu commends initiative

By Kingsley Adegboye

To enhance operational efficiency in municipal services and industrial operations in a seamless manner, Klinserv Solutions Limited in partnership with Hako, a world leading German producer of municipal, residential and industrial cleaning machines and robots, last Thursday in Lagos unveiled series of eco-friendly cleaning machines and robotics built for use across all sectors of the economy, such as maritime, oil and gas, aviation, manufacturing, construction sites, as well as roads, streets and the built environment.

The machines and robots have various models for cleaning of airport tarmac, runway, hangars, seaport terminals, dockyard, ship floors, cargo storage areas, factories, roads, streets, drainage systems and residential areas.

In his Keynote Address at the launch of the German innovative municipal industrial cleaning technology products, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has welcomed the initiatve with excitement, saying “It is with great pleasure and honour that I join you today as a special guest of honour at this exclusive launch of Hako cutting edge municipal and industrial solution for Nigeria and Sub-saharan Africa.

“I commend Klinserv Solutions and the Nigerian German Chamber of Commerce for this landmark event, which signals a significant step towards industrial innovation, economic development and environmental sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria and beyond.”

The governor, represented the state Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment is Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the introduction of the state-of-the art outdoor municipal sweepers, advanced robotic machines and specialized equipment tailored for diverse sectors, marks a promising new chapter for Lagos State, Nigeria and the West African region.

According to the governor, “Lagos State, as the chosen regional hub for this product launch, stands at the forefront of this exciting technological advancement. Our city faces the challenges of rapid urbanization and rapid population growth, which both demand innovative and sustainable solutions to maintain cleanliness, improve hygiene and protect our environment,” the governor said.

“The high performance eco-friendly equipment presented today offers great potential to enhance operational efficiency in municipal services and industrial operations alike. We’re particularly encouraged by the medium-term plans to localize technology through the establishment of assembly and manufacturing of the machines in Lagos State.”

In his welcome remarks earlier, the Chairman and CEO of Klinserve Solutions Limited, Dr. Tunde Ayeye, said the introduction of the cleaning machines and robots into Nigeria is not only a business relationship between Germany and Nigeria, but a significant technological transfer from Germany and Europe to Nigeria and Africa.

He called on other state governments in Nigeria and the private sector to leverage the Klinserv’s partnership with Hako to achieve a very clean and high standard environmental hygiene, while also creating jobs and significantly improving their economies.

According to Ayeye, “We have carefully selected a partner that is trusted globally to work with, to help us achieve a great result. Technology is moving rapidly and we cannot afford to be left behind. The cleaning industry continues to attrack huge investment and by 2027, it is estimated to attract $25 billion, yet the industry is still highly unstructured and does not have the kind of technology required. This is the beginning of a journey within our business group.”

On the operationality of the Nigerian Economy of the business, Klinserv boss said: “We have secured a development partner financing to the tune of $100 million to support this project. So, basically, we are creating a business model with the Lagos State Government and not just Lagos State, we welcome all other states in the federation and the sub-Saharan Africa to come and establish this business model with us. The business model is similar to the PSP model in Lagos, where the government doesn’t have to put the money down.

“The development partners have provided us with the funding access. So, rather than pay once for it, because that funding is there, the government can pay over five years or 10 years, depending on the capacity of the market that they are dealing with. But because they are development partners, it has to be a huge government involvement. The government must sort of guarantee the project to say yes, because essentially it is for the for the municipal products—things for the high roads, the highways and projects like that.

“We are the operators of that whole arrangement. So, we are the technology partners. We engage with the government. Once they agree, they sign up an MOU then the government pulls its own people that will operate, while we provide the technology, train the people that will operate it, and then the mechanism for payment over whatever period of time depending on the capacity of the state and the environment will be agreed upon. So, it creates jobs.

“For the private sector, we have here today, the service providers in maritime and aviation like NIMASA and SAHCO, real estate and facility managers, hotels, oil and gas operators and cleaning companies. What we have in place for them is that where they cannot acquire the machines outrightly, there is the leasing option where they can lease over a period of time.

“And then there’s also the rental option, where there’s a co-ownership and they can rent to use when they need it. So, they don’t have to burden themselves with the costs, but whenever they need it, it’s available, and they pay on per use arrangement. So that is what we are doing. But the screening is intense, because you have to be sure that it is not about the size, it’s about the structure and the seriousness of your business.”

Reji Cojo, Hako Group’s Regional Manager for Middle East and Africa, while talking about the partnership between Hako and Klinserv, said the company is world-leading provider of cleaning municipal and waterjet-high pressure technology, working with distributors across the world to ensure a seamless aftersales maintenance for the cleaning machines and robots, which are designed to use batteries, diesel or petrol in a manner that ensures eco-friendly adoption.

According to Cojo, “Hako is the first company in Europe to manufacture sweeping machines in 1961, after several decades of manufacturing agricultural machines. By 2021, Hako manufactured its first series of cleaning robots, which work without being manned as programmed.”

In his address, Weert Borner said the partnership between Hako and Klinserv has given Nigeria access to world-class technology.

“The German-Nigerian relations goes beyond political relationship, to involve a long-term partnership in business that has seen German firms employing over 70,000 Nigerians. This partnership between Hako and Klinserv will build cleaner cities and better living standards for everyone,” he said.

Also speaking, President of Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Yemi Keri said: “We congratulate Klinserv for this very bold and innovative feat in bridging German technology with Nigerian market, by bringing the best technology in Germany into Nigerian market. We look forward to manufacturing this innovative solutions in Nigeria soon. This event today speaks of the confidence German companies have in Nigeria and the demand for high quality solutions in Nigeria. Hako entry into Nigeria initiated by Klinserv is a great example of where German innovation meets Nigerian opportunities.”

The event was attended by regulators and operators of various sectors of the economy, captains of industries, the Consul General of the German Consulate in Nigeria, Weert Börner, represented by the Vice Consul, Mr Jochen Schindelarz and the President of Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Yemi Keri.