GE Holds Ground Breaking Event for New Multi-Billion Naira Manufacturing Plant

L-R: Global Vice Chairman, General Electric (GE), Mr. John Rice; The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Namadi Sambo  representing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan and Executive Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke at the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed GE Manufacturing Assembly plant in Calabar on the 18th June 2013 at Calabar Free Trade Zone

General Electric (GE), a global leader in infrastructure technology, services and solutions held a ground-breaking event of its proposed manufacturing plant at the Calabar Free Trade Zone on the 18^th of June 2013.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, represented at the event by Vice President Namadi Sambo commended General Electric (GE) for proving to be a strategic and supportive partner in the Nigeria’s on-going transformation agenda.

According to him, “The decision to build this multi-modal manufacturing and assembling facility in Nigeria and make it a hub for West Africa simply demonstrates GE s belief in the Nigerian economy. GE’s wide ranging expertise in health, power and rail transportation will undoubtedly contribute to the on-going reforms in these critical sectors under our broad transformation agenda.”

GE’s manufacturing plant is part of the $1billion investment in Nigeria, announced by its Chairman, Jeff Immelt in January. The facility will give GE an improved ability to support a broader range of product lines in power generation as well as oil and gas exploration. The company also plans to make it a supply hub for manufacturing, service and innovation for not just Nigeria but the whole of West Africa.

Whilst making an address at the ground breaking ceremony, the Executive Governor of Cross River state, Governor Liyel Imoke said that Cross River state was excited by the day’s momentous event, a culmination of months of collaboration and hard work between the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, General Electric and Cross River State. According to him, “This investment in the state highlights our growing status as the preferred investment destination in the country. The arrival of GE, one of the biggest companies in the world, will have a huge impact on our economy with a corresponding improvement in the fortunes of our people. It is indeed an affirmation of the state's efforts at diversifying our economy and a distinct statement of intent in our drive to become the foremost service-driven economy in the country”.

Speaking about the company’s investment in Nigeria, GE’s Vice Chairman, Global Growth & Operations, John Rice said “Collaboration between the public and private sector is critical for infrastructure development and overall global competitiveness. Today marks a major milestone in bringing alive the significant investment we announced earlier this year and we are proud of the role we are playing in supporting sustainable growth in Nigeria. 

Beyond the $250 million plant in Calabar, the company also plans to spend an additional $800 million over the next 5 years in local sourcing of goods/ services, labour, staff welfare and training.

The planned investment is expected to create 2300 jobs, 300 of which will be direct GE hires and the remaining 2000 indirect jobs created through GE suppliers that will support its expanded operations.

L-R: Global Vice Chairman, General Electric (GE), Mr. John Rice; The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; Executive Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Namadi Sambo representing the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan during the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed GE Manufacturing Assembly plant in Calabar on the 18th June 2013 at Calabar Free Trade Zone

GE’s local supplier base is expected to increase from 10 to 100 local suppliers” said GE President and CEO for Nigeria, Lazarus Angbazo. “Our planned investment will significantly increase the local content of our operations in Nigeria by increasing local ownership of equipment, in-country project execution expertise and use of local legal, financial and engineering services. Our annual spending on locally sourced goods and services will is expected to increase from $ 4million to over $60 million. We are also looking to develop partnerships to accelerate our local suppliers’ capabilities”.

GE also plans to build a training facility on its manufacturing site to ensure on-going employee development. The company will provide one-year to four-year training programs locally and internationally for repair engineers, welders, fabricators, machinists and special processing.

“This investment is not just about the factory” said Lazarus Angbazo, GE President and CEO for Nigeria. “It is about building a competitive supply chain to support Nigeria’s growth in the global economy, it is about Technology transfer and it about job creation and human capital development which are necessary for sustainable growth.