Oyo State government has officially taken delivery of 33 Caterpillar Next Generation excavators from Mantrac Nigeria Limited at a ceremony held at the governor’s office Agodi, Ibadan.
The 33 Cat Excavators were formally presented to the 33 local government areas by the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi at the event graced with the presence of top government officials, traditional and religious leaders.
A delegation of Mantrac Nigeria Limited, the sole authorised dealer for Caterpillar products and services in Nigeria, led by its public sector manager, Alex Nwoko, was present for the formal hand over.
In his address, Governor Ajimobi said, “The Excavators were acquired by the government to boost agricultural production, improve rescue operations, urban renewal and for other environmental intervention purposes.”
He recalled that one of the Excavators was effectively deployed for rescue operations during a recent building collapse in Ibadan. It helped in rescuing victims from the rubble alive.
He said, “The latest investment is in addition to the 33 Cat Machines earlier purchased. The Excavators will be used by the 33 local governments and the 35 local council development areas (LCDAs). He acknowledged the quality of Caterpillar.
“We are proud to be associated with you at Mantrac Nigeria, your products and your professionalism. 1The 33 Excavators we are inaugurating today are another unprecedented feat,” Ajimobi said.
Bimbo Kolade, state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, said it was not just another first in Oyo State, but in Nigeria, saying, “There has not been a single government in Nigeria that has at one time commissioned 33 Excavators.
“These are not just excavators but the latest of their kind anywhere in the world. Indeed, this is another first for us. Each Excavator comes with full automation, that is, it can be controlled such that it can only move within the desired limit.”
Nwoko described the occasion as ‘a great honour’ “We are proud to highlight that this is the highest single investment by any state or Federal Government in road construction in over 20 years, so we are happy to be part of this partnership. It is also remarkable to note that the Excavators are Caterpillar Next Generation of Excavators (NGE) and I am proud to announce that Oyo State government is one of its first and largest users in African.
“It reduces maintenance cost by up to 25%, increases operators efficiency up to 40% and increases fuel efficiency by up to 15%, over previous models.”
