The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, says eight thousand direct workers are currently employed in his company nationwide.

Chukwuma made the disclosure on Saturday after conducting the management of the Bank of Industry round his vehicle manufacturing factories in Nnewi, Anambra.

According to him, the company presently has 8,000 direct staff and plans to engage 2,000 additional workers in a new factory.

He assured that the workforce would increase significantly within a short period when expansion projects are completed and new production lines become fully operational.

On gender balance, Chukwuma said women were deployed into sensitive sections of the factory because of their discipline, diligence, and strict adherence to rules.

“Let me tell you, there are some sensitive areas; we decided that it is women that will be there because they obey the rules.

“When you need accuracy in some areas, women are more prudent in such areas.

“The female folks obey the rules more than the male: train them and they obey the rules,” he said.

Chukwuma said his vision was to make youths productive and self-reliant, adding that he is establishing a tractor plant at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He said that the tractor plant would improve availability of tractors for farmers and enhance agricultural productivity across communities in the country.

He attributed his achievements to a long-standing partnership with the Bank of Industry, which he said had supported equipment acquisition for over two decades.

The Executive Director, Large Enterprises of the bank, Mallam Omar Shekarau, said Innoson Group started small but had grown into a company Nigerians are proud of.

Shekarau assured continued support from the bank.

He urged Nigerians to patronise Innoson products to strengthen local industry and boost the national economy. (NAN)