In furtherance of its determination to ensure good and quality roads in the country, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, the authorized Caterpillar dealer in Nigeria, in conjunction with Lugarth International, has delivered 66 units of construction equipment to Oyo State Government to aid rural road accessibility and development in the 33 local government councils in the state.
The machines which include 33 motor graders and 33 bulldozers were handed to the chairman of each of the local government at a commissioning ceremony that took place at the State House of Assembly complex in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Speaking at the event, Executive Governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said that the move was aimed at promoting rural integration and development as well as ending the regime of waste of farm produce. He added that the use of the equipment would enhance movement of farm produce from the hinterland to urban centres, stressing that farm produce were hitherto destroyed due to lack of accessible roads to farmlands.
He further disclosed that the procurement of the graders and bulldozers would improve road rehabilitation, especially in the rural areas at cheaper costs pointing out that the machines were purchased from Mantrac, a reputable company known for the distribution of quality Caterpillar products that conform to world quality standards.
In his remark, Acting General Manager Construction Machines, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Mr Alex Nwoko, stated that the company, having serviced the Nigerian market for over 64 years, has continued to set the standard for quality equipment in terms of quality and efficiency. He described the delivery of the 66 units of graders and bulldozers as another remarkable landmark that will make good roads possible in Oyo State.
He added that the contract will not end at supply level, but the company will offer after sales services including 2000hours of servicing and comprehensive training and that these equipment though remotely located, will be monitored using the product link advanced monitoring technology.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ibadan North-West Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun said that the state under the administration of Governor Ajimobi was the first to achieve such a feat in its history. He added that the equipment would be used to open up new roads and to rehabilitate the existing ones in all the local government councils in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Yekeen Popoola said that the purchase of the equipment would meet the request of the local farmers and various communities who have been complaining of the adverse economic effect of wastage of farm produce. He commended the governor for his visionary leadership which will lead to the opening up of the hinterland in the state.
(L-R) Marketing Communicator, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Chinenye Okoli,  Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria Oyo State Unit, Hon. Yekeen Popoola, Acting General Manager, Construction Machines, Alex Nwoko and Lead Sales Executive, Adetutu Mesele at the Commissioning of 66 units of Mantrac Construction Equipment Supplied to Oyo State Government in Conjunction with Lugarth International in Ibadan.
(L-R) Marketing Communicator, Mantrac Nigeria Limited, Chinenye Okoli,   Acting General Manager, Construction Machines, Alex Nwoko and Lead Sales Executive, Adetutu Mesele at the Commissioning of 66 units of Mantrac Construction Equipment Supplied to Oyo State Government in Conjunction with Lugarth International in Ibadan.