Meet 22-year-old mini tractor, excavator fabricator

Surajo Ismaila, 22, is a native of Rubochi community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT. He attended Government Science Technical College, Garki, Abuja, from where he graduated in 2016. Surajo, who spoke with Aso Chronicle, said he participated and earned several awards for the college at the different competitions and exhibitions, one at far […]

Surajo Ismaila, 22, is a native of Rubochi community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT. He attended Government Science Technical College, Garki, Abuja, from where he graduated in 2016.

Surajo, who spoke with Aso Chronicle, said he participated and earned several awards for the college at the different competitions and exhibitions, one at far away Brazil in 2011.

He said he started fabricating tractors, excavator, pay loader, bulldozer, lorries and tippers as well farm inputs using discarded cartons right from his primary school days.

He said his desire and zeal to embark on fabricating such machines have also earned for him recognition through the recent exhibition he participated in at the just concluded Abuja International Trade Fair, through the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Surajo said his desire, right from his primary school days, was to become a mechanical engineer, adding that he is trying hard to have the technical experience in locally fabricating moving equipment.

The young fabrication enthusiast, however said lack of government support, including from the private sector to deepen his knowledge, are the major challenges he faced.

He said despite his participation at the Abuja International Trade Fair exhibition, where he showcased some of his locally fabricated tractors, no assistance from either government or private organisations has come his way.

“If I can get support from either the government or private organizations to enable me acquire some requisite tools to continue with the fabrication of the equipment, it will go a long way in impacting on the government’s economic policies one way or the other but no assistance whatsoever has come my way,” he said.

Surajo explained that it took him about two years to fabricate the locally made tractor which he displayed at the Abuja International Trade Fair exhibition.

He said since he started fabricating the locally made equipment over the years using aluminum zinc, he raised money through some good Samaritans who stopped over where he displayed the fabricated machines and give him token of between N100 and N50.

“Although I do get financial support from some organizations especially during exhibition, but the major challenge I am facing is how government or any organization will come to my aid to support me with funds to buy some equipment so that I can also stand on my own,” he added.

Surajo revealed that he now uses the locally made tractor to fetch water in jerry can to sell every morning to enable him raise money with which to purchase welding tools for the fabrication of other moving equipment.

He said he was currently trying to see how he could fabricate a robot, which he hoped, could be used to convey luggage at the airport to waiting cabs.

“In fact, as I speak, I am currently making arrangement to see how I will fabricate a robot that will be moving luggage especially at the airport to waiting cabs,” he said.

Surajo said he will be happy if the federal government grants him scholarship to enable him study advance in technology abroad.

He called on the authorities of Kuje Area Council, FCT administration and the federal government as well as private sector organisations to come to his aid by supporting him to achieve his dream.