By CHARLES LWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Government and the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) are to partner in the establishment of an electric-powered vehicle assembly plant in the state.

The agreement was reached when the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, played host to the Director of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Aliyu explained that NADDC is at the finishing stage of certification of vehicle parts imported into the country, noting that NADDC will soon start monitoring all imported vehicle parts and will not allow vehicles parts in the country without certification.

The NADDC boss explained that they have started building an Automotive Training Centre in Ebonyi State, explaining that the centre is aimed at training the people to understand the techniques of vehicles and make them become technicians. He called on the governor to identify areas of possible partnership.

In response, Governor Umahi explained that the Ebonyi State Government had ordered the importation of 24 electric tricycles and 24 others to be assembled in the state.

He further noted that the Ebonyi State Government is willing to partner with NADDC to establish an electrically powered assembling plant in Ebonyi using the already imported tricycles to kick-start.

A demonstrative electric-powered vehicle was brought by the NADDC boss and was inspected by Governor Umahi.

PHOTO: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi FNSE, FNATE inspecting one of the electric powered vehicles as Jelani Aliyu, MFR demonstrates how it is being recharged