Global infrastructure giant, General Electric has signed a whopping $1.2m memorandum of understanding with the government of Cross River Stat to upgrade and equip the state’s Community Technical College located at Ikot-Effanga Mkpa in Calabar.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and scores of the state’s executive council members including principal aides of the Governor inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Calabar Municipality.
While welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion, Gerald Ada thanked GE for believing in Nigerian and spearheading the renewed foreign direct investment drive the country is witnessing lately. Specifically, he thanked GE for the confidence the company invested on Cross River State as an investment hub by sitting its multibillion dollar factory in Calabar, the state capital. He said the MoU being signed is further strengthening the relationship between the company, the state government and its host community.
“Today, we execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the state Government and GE for the establishment of the mechanical/electrical workshops in Government Technical College, Ikot-Effanga Mkpa here in Calabar at an estimated cost of about N200m. This is part of the GE Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy for building strong partnership with the state. It is the first step out of several other CSR initiatives being planned. In the coming months and years ahead; we will be witnessing GE suppliers supporting other schools in the state including the Cross River State University of Technology.
Responding, GE Global and Supply Chain Leader for Africa, Mr. Phill Griffit stated that his company is excited about its operations in Africa and the market prospects of the continent, particularly Nigeria. He said the project being undertaken by GE in the school as part of GE’s plans designed to bring the right technology and resources required to their host community. According to him, the partnership with the technical college is designed to train workers to become highly skilled technical personnel recognised globally.
“As difficult as putting the plant here, we think we should build the right technologies and because of that we are putting in place to develop people not only here in Cross River State but in Nigeria in general. This is an exciting and specific step towards putting the equipment in place so that the trainees can graduate with international standards in vocational training. Within the coming weeks, money will be spent in realising this. This is a clear steps towards putting equipment in place, so that students can graduate and getting the right people at the right time”
In his remarks, Governor Liyel Imoke, thanked GE for the gesture. He recalled that when GE decided to site its $1bn plant in Calabar, he said one of the areas of interest for the state government was the development of human resources.
“GE is making sure that Cross River and its people are integrated into the projects. We have seen procurement of equipment and recruitment involving Cross Riverians. We have seen their commitment and we would continue to support them because of the opportunities they create in our local economy.”
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| Signing of the MoU |
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and scores of the state’s executive council members including principal aides of the Governor inside the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Calabar Municipality.
While welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment Promotion, Gerald Ada thanked GE for believing in Nigerian and spearheading the renewed foreign direct investment drive the country is witnessing lately. Specifically, he thanked GE for the confidence the company invested on Cross River State as an investment hub by sitting its multibillion dollar factory in Calabar, the state capital. He said the MoU being signed is further strengthening the relationship between the company, the state government and its host community.
“Today, we execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the state Government and GE for the establishment of the mechanical/electrical workshops in Government Technical College, Ikot-Effanga Mkpa here in Calabar at an estimated cost of about N200m. This is part of the GE Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy for building strong partnership with the state. It is the first step out of several other CSR initiatives being planned. In the coming months and years ahead; we will be witnessing GE suppliers supporting other schools in the state including the Cross River State University of Technology.
Responding, GE Global and Supply Chain Leader for Africa, Mr. Phill Griffit stated that his company is excited about its operations in Africa and the market prospects of the continent, particularly Nigeria. He said the project being undertaken by GE in the school as part of GE’s plans designed to bring the right technology and resources required to their host community. According to him, the partnership with the technical college is designed to train workers to become highly skilled technical personnel recognised globally.
“As difficult as putting the plant here, we think we should build the right technologies and because of that we are putting in place to develop people not only here in Cross River State but in Nigeria in general. This is an exciting and specific step towards putting the equipment in place so that the trainees can graduate with international standards in vocational training. Within the coming weeks, money will be spent in realising this. This is a clear steps towards putting equipment in place, so that students can graduate and getting the right people at the right time”
In his remarks, Governor Liyel Imoke, thanked GE for the gesture. He recalled that when GE decided to site its $1bn plant in Calabar, he said one of the areas of interest for the state government was the development of human resources.
“GE is making sure that Cross River and its people are integrated into the projects. We have seen procurement of equipment and recruitment involving Cross Riverians. We have seen their commitment and we would continue to support them because of the opportunities they create in our local economy.”
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