NASWAMSA Management Embarks on Technical Training Assessment Tour in Lagos
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa.
The Director General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Hon. Mohammed Bello Isa, along with his management team recently conducted an assessment and visibility tour of Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd in Lagos.
This visit aligns with NASWAMSA’s strategic drive to modernize waste management operations in Nasarawa State by leveraging advanced waste management equipment and vehicles.
Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd is a joint venture between Dangote Industries Limited and Sinotruk of China, with a $100 million investment.
The company assembles and produces a full range of commercial vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, medium trucks, light trucks, and semi-trailers.
The purpose of their plant in Lagos is not only to meet Nigeria’s demand for commercial vehicles in sectors like logistics, construction, and food and beverage but also to serve the wider West African ECOWAS market.
Their operations aim to boost local industrial capacity, create employment, and promote technological advancement in Nigeria.
The tour by NASWAMSA’s DG is an efforts to explore acquiring or partnering for modern vehicles such as waste compactors made by Dangote Sinotruk to enhance waste management efficiency.
Lagos State government, for instance, has ordered refuse compactor trucks from this same Dangote Sinotruk facility to improve sanitation services, suggesting a similar service for Nasarawa State’s modernization plans.
This collaboration and exploration of advanced truck technologies from Dangote Sinotruk could significantly support Nasarawa’s goals for sustainable waste management development.
A statement by Ishaq Abubakar Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant to the Director General on Media and Strategic Communication, said during the tour, the Director General expressed surprise and admiration at the scale, capacity, and technological sophistication of Sinotruk’s operations.
The DG noted that the company’s commitment to quality heavy-duty vehicle solutions, technical expertise, and operational infrastructure was not only impressive but aligned with the long-term vision of Nasarawa State to transform its environmental and waste management systems.
“What we have seen today is beyond expectation. Sinotruk has demonstrated readiness, innovation, and depth in this sector, and we are convinced that there is a strong basis for collaboration,” the DG remarked.
He commended the leadership of Sinotruk West Africa for their dedication to building local capacity and sustaining a robust after-sales support system, describing the company as a “key partner” in achieving cleaner and more efficient urban waste evacuation in Nasarawa.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the Director General’s pledge to initiate a partnership with Sinotruk West Africa Ltd in the area of technical training for mechanic technicians in Nasarawa State. He emphasized that once the state government procures new waste management trucks, the Authority would leverage Sinotruk’s expertise to build a local team of well-trained technicians for maintenance and support.
“We cannot afford to operate without skilled personnel. Our plan is to invest in not just trucks, but in the people who will maintain and manage them. Sinotruk’s support in this area will be invaluable,” he added.
The DG also hinted at the possibility of further engagements with Sinotruk, particularly in the areas of fleet acquisition, technology transfer, and long-term technical collaboration.
The visit marks a critical step in the Nasarawa State Government’s broader sanitation reform agenda, which includes the modernization of waste collection systems, workforce development, and strategic partnerships with private-sector leaders.
Sinotruk West Africa’s team received the NASWAMSA delegation warmly and took them through a comprehensive tour of its assembly plant, service facilities, and technical operations. The company expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to work with Nasarawa State and reaffirmed its commitment to providing high-quality solutions tailored to the Nigerian terrain.
As Nasarawa State positions itself for improved waste management and environmental sanitation, partnerships like this are expected to play a vital role in bridging capacity gaps and delivering on the government’s commitment to a cleaner and healthier state.
