Israeli Automobile firm, Mimshak specializing has began the training and screening of 50 Akwa Ibom indigenes in various stages of automobile manufacturing process in readiness to send them to Isreal for further training.
The training would.also enable the company to recruit middle level technical to kick start production.
Speaking in Uyo on Thursday while conducting newsmen around the company facility , the Chief Operating Officer and Car Plant Technologist Mr Rolen Golan said out of 150 automobile technicians screened, only 50 have selected so far while 20 persons would soon depart to Israel for further training.
Golan said they would be trained on tyre alignment and wheel balancing, electricals, Car Air condition repairs, car diagnosis as well as upholstery.
The Car Plant Technologist disclosed that the first batch of the trainees would leave Akwa Ibom for Israel in the next one week after undergoing various tests to ascertain their technical capacity .
He explained that Mimshack is the largest car manufacturing company with 45 years in car production business in Israel adding that the company would commence car production in Akwa Ibom using locally sourced and few imported raw materials.
The training he said would equip the artisans to contribute in training others in the factory when they return to the state.
“The first batch of the trainees will leave Akwa Ibom for Israel to return in the next few months and join in the car production. Vehicles to be produced here include mini buses, luxurious buses and pleasure cars which will be specifically suitable for Nigeria roads.” He explained.
The Golan listed factors that hindered the successful take off of the car production in Akwa Ibom to include Covid 19 pandemic, high forex exchange and the recent Russia/Ukraine war.
He also requested for additional land for the company expansion adding that the present location is not enough for their operations.
The commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deepsea Mr Emem Almond said the state government has provided necessary facilities as part of the counterpart funding for the project.
The commissioner who was represented by the permanent Secretary in the ministry said government has provided dedicated power line to enhance uninterrupted power supply to the facility among other incentives while the company would provide jobs to.more than 3,000 persons.
On their own, most of the selected artisans said they saw the advertisement and applied for inclusion denying using any form of government contacts to secure a place in the firm.
