The man who revolutionised luxury bus transportation in Nigeria has struck again. Frank Nneji, chairman and chief executive of ABC Transport Plc, has launched a bold move to revive the moribund heavy duty truck manufacturer, Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO).

ANAMMCO, located in Emene, Enugu, which has been moribund for several years, is being recalled to life by an assembly contract agreement it signed with Nneji’s Transit Support Services (TSS) Limited, reports BusinessDay.

According to the paper, “Sequel to the contract, TSS has acquired an assembly line in ANAMMCO and is set to commence full-scale heavy duty and articulated trucks assembly operations next month (October), a move that is expected to see the production of 100 trucks per month in the first phase.

“Coming barely one year after the introduction of the new automotive policy by the Federal Government, industry watchers say the commencement of assembly operations at ANAMMCO will lead to the revival of local component manufacturers in areas such as automotive batteries, lubricants, windscreen, clutch cables, mudguards, wiper blades, brake pads, automobile paints, component for tyres, etc.

“They add that it will also bring about possible creation of new spin-offs, encourage small and big foundries, as well as the nation’s iron and steel industry, and ultimately lead to creation of thousands of jobs, many of them for several previously disengaged skilled workers of ANAMMCO.

“The TSS/ANAMMCO deal comes on the heels of an earlier deal between TSS and Chinese commercial vehicles manufacturer, Shaanxi Heavy Duty Automobile Import and Export Company Limited, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), for the assembly of Shacman range of trucks in Nigeria.”

BusinessDay says it was told by Nneji, chairman and chief executive of TSS Limited, that the assembly plant was expected to have the capacity to produce an estimated 100 units of light and heavy duty trucks, tankers, lorries, tractor heads of up to 50 tonnes, tippers and concrete mixers for different applications.

“The 100 units are expected to be produced on one shift alone, with capacity to double the number on the back of demand and supply,” the report says, adding:

“Already, 12 automotive engineers from the Chinese Shacman trucks building company are expected to arrive in Enugu soon to set up the equipment in conformity with global standards.

“When fully operational, no fewer than 3,000 units of trucks will be produced annually at the plant, with likelihood of raising output to 4,000 or even higher.”

•Photo shows Frank Nneji.

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