The government disclosed this on Monday at
the inauguration of a world-class Toyota certified service centre located at
the Oshodi end of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway Lagos by Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo.
He described the state-of-the-art facility
built by Toyota Nigeria Limited as a legacy project comprising a standard
showroom, a collision repair centre, a general repair workshop with
sophisticated equipment and a spare parts warehouse.
Osinbajo said with the level of
sophistication and deployment of modern technology at the facility, the centre
stood out as a milestone achievement that would contribute immensely to the
development of the auto industry and the nation’s economy.
He said, “I must confess to being quite
fascinated by the multiple resources and outcomes that this facility possesses
and is designed to achieve.
“It is not merely a service centre for
providing quality after-sale service (although we are told that is one of the
objectives for establishing it), it is actually developed as a teaching,
research and resource centre, to provide dealers with world-class, practical
hands-on training.”
The VP said the capacity building aspect of
the facility tallied with a number of skill acquisition and empowerment schemes
of the Federal Government for young Nigerians.
He commended the TNL team led by its
Chairman, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo for the visionary project.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, said the establishment of the centre showed
the commitment of Toyota Nigeria towards addressing the concerns of its
consumers.
“Today’s event is a brilliant manifestation
of the enabling business environment created by this administration and their
unparalleled leadership,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs
Folasade Jaji, said the establishment of the centre was a clear statement of
the Toyota Nigeria’s commitment to the continuous growth of the company.
The Chairman, TNL, Chief Michael Ade Ojo,
described the event as a memorable one that gave him fulfilment.
The Managing Director, TNL, Mr Kunle
Ade-Ojo, said following the movement of the corporate headquarters of the TNL
to Lekki, Lagos, in 2009, the company decided to convert the old office to a
standard after-sale centre.
He said apart from providing quality
maintenance service, genuine spare parts and standard showroom for Toyota
vehicles, the facility would serve as a resource place “for market study to
gather data on market dynamics and obtain feedback on customers experiences and
expectations.”