From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Artisans in the automobile industry have hailed the outgoing governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for providing a conducive working environment as manifested in the recently inaugurated Auto Mechanic Village in Asaba, the state capital.
The artisans under the aegis of the National Automobile Technician Association (NATA), Delta State chapter, said apart from its aesthetics, the ultra-modern complex would create jobs as new businesses were already springing up.
Our correspondent learnt that the mechanic village which was developed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, has 900 units of spare parts shops and 82 units of mechanic workshops and other auxiliaries.
Speaking, the Chairman of NATA in the state, Mr Ifeanyi Abanum, commended the governor for approving extra land which would be used for as space for additional workshops by automobile technicians.
According to him, with extra workshops at the complex, all automobile artisans scattered across Asaba would be accommodated in one place.
“Apart from the aesthetics, the mechanic village offers Deltans and artisans a befitting one-stop auto market where they can purchase all auto parts as well as repair their automobiles with the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment in a most convenient, secured, serene world-class environment.
“Thousands of jobs will be created by this project even as new businesses have been set up apart from its impact on hospitality in the capital city.
“And with this complex, sanity will be restored in the state capital territory and it will enable the metropolis to be well structured and managed,” he said.
He said the artisans pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support to the incoming administration in order to maintain continuity.
He thanked the governor for fulfilling all his promises just as he added that the governor did more than what the artisans requested.