By Henry Obetta

BENIN— THE Managing Director of Nigerian Sinotrucks Limited, Alfred Okugbeni, described the ceremonial turning of soil in Benin City as part of Nigeria’s transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-oriented one.

Okugbeni stated that the Benin investment is a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening local industrial activity, supporting automotive and transportation value chains, and deepening technical expertise within the country.

Speaking during the ceremonial turning of soil in Benin City at the weekend, he said it was a statement about industrial confidence, economic direction and Nigeria’s growing determination to build rather than merely consume.

Okugbeni said: “This groundbreaking ceremony in Benin is far more than the turning of soil. It is another confident step in Nigeria’s journey from being merely a consumer nation to becoming a producing nation.

“The facility we begin today will become more than a physical structure. It will become a centre of opportunity, creating jobs, stimulating local supply chains, and supporting thousands of livelihoods connected to industrial activity.”

According to him, the project is expected to contribute to technical knowledge transfer and manpower development, areas many experts consider critical to Nigeria’s industrial future.

“Years from now, people will look back at this ceremony and recognise it as one of those defining moments when vision met execution, and ambition became tangible reality,” Okugbeni added.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the company, Edmond Okwu, said transportation remains central to enterprise growth and commercial activity across emerging economies.

Okwu said: “We do not simply sell trucks. We support enterprise. We sustain movement. We enable economic activity.”

According to Okwu, the company intends to prioritise local technical capacity and workforce development.

“One of the greatest gifts any responsible company can leave behind is human capacity. We are committed to nurturing a new generation of Nigerian technicians and industrial professionals capable of competing anywhere in the world,” he said.